Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- Jorge Hernandez, 47th Maintenance Directorate T-6 Texan II A-Cell crew chief, was awarded the first ever “Crew Chief of the Quarter” orientation flight on Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, May 20, 2016.
This is a quarterly award given to the crew chief who goes above and beyond the call of duty, is nominated by any 434th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot and then is picked by the Squadron Commander.
"We created this award to highlight the important relationship we have with our maintenance brethren,” said 1st Lt. Nicholas Atkins, 434th FTS check-pilot and creator of the award.
This important relationship was definitely highlighted as Hernandez taxied down the runway to be greeted by smiling faces and congratulatory hugs and handshakes from members of the 434th FTS and his fellow maintainers.
Hernandez has set the bar high in the eyes of the 434th FTS, and the decision next quarter may not be an easy one.
"Mr. Hernandez is the exemplification of servant leadership in both the A-Cell and T-6 Nation,” said Atkins. “Without people like him, we cannot do our mission to train the world's best military aviators.”