Kennel master receives STEP promotion

  • Published
  • By Ron Scharven
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  September 25 started no different from any other day for Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ehlinger, 47th Security Forces Squadron, but after being called to the wing conference room as a staff sergeant, he left a technical sergeant.

Sergeant Ehlinger was step promoted to his current grade in a ceremony conducted by Col. John Doucette, 47th Flying Training Wing Commander and Maj. Kris Zhea, 47th SFS commander.

STEP is an acronym for the Air Force's Stripes for Exceptional Performers program and are not just handed out to anyone. It is an immediate promotion rank for an enlisted member and provides commanders an opportunity to recognize consistently strong performers. 

According to the nomination package, Sergeant Ehlinger is considered a "walking recruiting poster" and is always sharp, poised and professional., said the step promotion for Sergeant Ehlinger was well deserved.

"Sergeant Ehlinger stood out as a committed professional the very first time I met him," the Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Heinzen, 47th FTW Command Chief Master Sergeant said. "He clearly gets the importance of being a professional Airman first, and a military working dog handler second."

Chief Heinzen said the range of emotion on the normally very focused and serious professional went from firm confidence thinking he was called up to provide a visiting Senior Executive a quick brief on our MWD program, to one of near-tears when Colonel Doucette pulled out the stripes and told him Gen. Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Wing commander, had selected him for promotion to technical sergeant.

"You know you got it right when the Airmen of his squadron were as excited as he was," the chief added.

Sergeant Ehlinger's knowledge and expertise has led to many VIP protection missions for dignitaries such as President George W. Bush, Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, Texas Governor Rick Perry, the Secretary of Defense, the Air Education and Training Command commander, and Basic Military Training graduations.

The sergeant said he intends to keep up the intense professionalism for which he has become known.

"My goal as a technical sergeant now is to continue to provide top-notch leadership and training for my K-9 handlers," Sergeant Ehlinger said of his new increased responsibility. "My soul purpose as a kennel master is to take care of my dog handlers and ensure they have the training, guidance and know how to deploy in a hostile environment with their dog and survive and save lives in the field."

During a deployment to Southwest Asia, he and his military working dog searched and guaranteed more than 1,000 explosive-free fuel trucks, enabling hundreds of uninterrupted sorties.

He also led an explosive detector dog team to recognition from the U.S. Army Provost Marshal for superior performance.

As a member of the Wing Alcohol-Related Incident Reduction Team, Sergeant Ehlinger researched and implemented changes resulting in a 25 percent reduction in incidents and is considered the "go-to-guy" for detecting drunk drivers. Ultimately, he removed 19 impaired operators from the streets, making the streets safer for everyone at Laughlin.

He participated in a drug sweep at Goodfellow Air Force Base and was key to apprehension of three individuals for drug possession. Sergeant Ehlinger has led investigations resulting in identification and arrest of individuals for outstanding warrants, three larceny cases and even attempted murder.

The sergeant, pleased by his unexpected promotion, humbly gave credit where he felt it was due and praised the rest of the 47th SFS.

"We have had and now have a great commander and without my leadership's guidance, motivation and recommendation I would have not got the [promotion,]" he said.

"I definitely owe it to them."