Base senior NCO recognized by ANG Published July 31, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Kayla K. Edwards 189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- A senior noncommissioned officer was presented the 2007 Air National Guard Air Force Communications and Information Award. Senior Master Sergeant Joe Lucchesi, the 189th Communications Flight communications computer systems superintendent, was chosen as the top senior NCO in the category of computer systems. Sergeant Lucchesi advocated funding, planned and executed several high-profile wing network upgrades. He also planned and successfully executed a communications budget of more than $313,000, with maximized results. He managed the replacement of 17 percent of the wing's computer systems, which kept the 189 AW ahead of the ANG replacement schedule. In spite of a budget reduction for fiscal year 2007, he closed 135 information technology requests in support of wing and geographically separated units. Sergeant Lucchesi created reports and coordinated the donation to local area schools of more than 400 used computer assets, which would have normally been turned in to the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office for resale or destruction. According to his nomination package, he flawlessly managed and maintained flight training records in the Integrated Maintenance Data System, guaranteeing all unit Airmen were provided training opportunities that met or exceeded Air Force standards. He also aided in persuading the National Guard Bureau to fund an upgrade of the entire wing's network infrastructure at a cost of $500,000.