Senior NCO shines in sortie success

  • Published
  • By By Tech. Sgt. Arlo Taylor
  • 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Air Education and Training Command recently recognized a 314th Maintenance Squadron Senior NCO for his part in keeping the 314th Airlift Wing mission flying.

Master Sgt. Dion Fernau was selected as the AETC-level nominee for the Air Force's 2007 General Lew Allen, Jr. Award's senior NCO category. The award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of base-level officers and senior NCOs in aircraft, munitions or missile maintenance directly involved in aircraft sortie generation.

As squadron production superintendent, Sergeant Fernau led over 700 troops from seven flights and 20 different specialties in support of 88 multi-command C-130 aircraft flying 14,228 sorties while accruing a 99 percent aircrew student graduation rate.

"The key to winning the Gen. Lew Allen Award is a great team of professionals that work in the Maintenance Squadron and the (314th Maintenance Group), also a combined effort of my squadron supervision to recognize me for this award. "The outstanding personnel in the squadron and a personal drive to ensure that work was completed correctly the first time and in a timely manner (is the key to ensuring efficient and timely sortie generation)," said Sergeant Fernau.

Sergeant Fernau also directed repairs on 71 major aircraft isochronal inspections, garnering a 91 percent on-time delivery rate with eight consecutive quality assurance passes. He credits the sortie success, as well as his recognition, to the professionalism of maintainers at all levels and quality of their work.

"I attribute my success to the personnel that are out working on the aircraft and keeping them flying. Little Rock has an outstanding team that is improving all of the time. I was just fortunate I was chosen for this award," he said.