 
Thunderbolt of the Week
Airman Jessica Mitchum
56th Component Maintenance Squadron
Personnel Apprentice
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
Years in service: One
Education: Plan to pursue a Community College of the Air Force Degree
Inspirations: Family, Tech. Sgt. Scott, Staff Sgt. Robinson, Capt. Amadís
Goals: To finish my CDCs; get a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
Greatest feat: Buying a car; ran the 56th CMS commander’s support staff during a 10 day absence of immediate supervisors and the NCO in charge
Self-description: Hard worker, quiet, go getter, astute, adept
Famous last words: “This is why I’m hot and this is why you’re not.” — Mims
Off-duty interests: Shopping and traveling
Commander’s comments: “Airman Mitchum is off to a great start,” said Lt. Col. James Baumgardner, 56th CMS commander. “Not only has she learned her job, she’s proven she can perform above her grade and skill level. She supported more than 380 military personnel and relocated our support section. Airman Mitchum represents what it means to be an American Airman by displaying exceptional leadership qualities,
self motivation, esprit de corps and a mission-before-self attitude. She ran the 56th CMS commander’s support staff shop by herself during a 10 day absence of her supervisor and the NCO in charge. There was no decrease in customer service or customer satisfaction. She was commended by senior leadership for her job performance and job knowledge, which is well above the level for her rank and skill level. Due to Airman Mitchum’s hard work and dedication, the integrity of the mission and work flow were never affected.”
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Posted: 10/4/2007
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Thunderbolt of the Week
Senior Airman Andrew Jones
56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
Conventional Maintenance Crew Member
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
Years in service: five
Family: Wife, Tamara
Education: Pursuing an associate degree in mechanical studies from Universal Technical Institute
Previous assignments: Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Inspirations: Tech. Sgt. Reed, for his stiff hand and guidance
Goals: To graduate from UTI and move into the BMW enhancement program
Greatest feat: Passing physical training test
Self-description: Relaxed, focused and goal-oriented
Famous last words: “We build bombs — what’s up!”
Off-duty interests: Cars
Commander’s comments: “Airman Jones is an exceptional professional to the munitions production team,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Alley, 56th EMS commander. “As a conventional maintenance crew member; Airman Jones’ leadership was key in the production of 2,000 MK-82 live bombs, 90,000 practice bombs and 820,000 aircraft countermeasures. His tireless efforts provided uninterrupted munitions support to the 56th Fighter Wing allowing more than 21,000 successful flying sorties for fiscal year 2007. During his recent deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Airman Jones maintained CENTAF’s largest munitions stockpile valued at more than $1.7 billion. He provided outstanding munitions support to 13 forward operating locations in three combat theaters. In addition, Airman Jones has been instrumental in the implementation of two LEAN initiatives for the Munitions Flight. His improvement
team increased the efficiency of 20mm ammunition processing operations by 25
percent and reduced chaff/flare trailer movement by 32.2 miles a day by cutting the amount of trips between the munitions storage area and the flightline by 50 percent. Airman Jones innovation, can-do attitude, and leadership ability daily emulates Thunderbolt pride.”
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Posted: 9/28/2007
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Thunderbolt of the Week
Staff Sgt. Kristyn Richardson
61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit
Plans and Scheduling Assistant NCO In Charge
Hometown: Kitty Hawk, N.C.
Years in service: Six
Family: Husband, Bradley; parents, Bill Dobney and
Lynn Jones; and sister, Beth
Education: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice at Park University
Previous assignments: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base,
N.C.; Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar; Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
Inspirations: Anyone who believes that what they are doing is for the greater good
Goals: To finish my criminal justice degree Greatest feat: Buying my first house
Self-description: Driven, hardheaded and will fight to the death if I know I am right
Famous last words: “If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the
world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.” Anna Quindlen
Off-duty interests: Spending time with family, friends and playing tennis
Commander’s comments: “Sergeant Richardson came to the 61st AMU and filled
the position of NCO in charge of the plans and scheduling shop at a time when it
was only 50 percent undermanned,” said Lt. Col. Fredrick Plaumann, 61st AMU commander. “She hit the ground running, made an immediate positive impact and
has never looked back. During her tenure, her expertise and energetic can-do attitude have guaranteed top-notch maintenance planning and flying schedule support and have made her a valuable asset to her unit and Team Luke. Her professionalism and drive are second to none, and she exemplifies the Air Force core values. She’s recently been selected to move up to the 56th Fighter Wing Planning and Scheduling office, where I know she will be a force multiplier.”
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Posted: 9/21/2007
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Thunderbolt of the Week
Senior Airman Reacel Allen
Detachment 12, 372nd Training Squadron
Commander Support Staff Representative
Hometown: San Diego
Years in service: Four
Family: Husband, Brandon
Education: pursuing a bachelor’s in Business Management
at Park University
Previous assignments: Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
Inspirations: Family
Goals: Complete a bachelor’s degree by 2009 and then a
master’s degree by 2011
Self-description: Patient
Famous last words: “If you put your all into it, nothing’s
impossible.”
Off-duty interests: School
Commander’s comments: “Airman Allen fills a one-deep personnel management
position in support of the Air Force’s largest field training detachment,” said
Capt. Mark Cronk, 372nd TRS, Det. 12 commander. “She serves 55 instructors
and staff along with more than 2,500 students annually. She is the primary
liaison between the 982nd Training Group, 372nd TRS and the 56th
Fighter Wing Military Personnel Flight and a geographically separated detachment. Prior to Airman Allen’s arrival, we had no CSS. She has since breathed new life into stagnant programs and has led Det. 12 to be recognized as one of the premier F-16 field training and mission ready airmen units in the Air Force. She is by far in the top
one percent of all Airmen I’ve met in my 21 years of service. She’s most deserving of her recent promotion to staff sgt. as she has been operating as an NCO since day one in our detachment. Simply put — she is the glue that binds our unit.”
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Posted: 9/7/2007
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