$10,000 IDEA Award presented

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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A senior airman identification card may not be valuable to a card collector, but it has been traded in for some serious cash for a Luke Air Force Base officer. 

Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander, presented Maj. Carol Gordon, 56th Force Support Squadron commander, with a $10,000 check from the Air Force IDEA Program Feb. 24. 

"This is the first $10,000 award we have given out at Luke since 2007," said James Ferris, 56th Force Support Squadron IDEA program manager. "It was great having an idea awarded for the maximum amount." 

Major Gordon submitted a change request for AFI 36-3026 -- changing "Conditions for Issue, Reissue, and Renewal of the DD Form 2". She suggested that Airmen no longer be required to update their identification card when promoted to the rank of senior airman, which would save the Air Force supply dollars and manpower hours. Airmen will now only have to update the rank on their ID card when they are promoted to staff sergeant. 

According to Mr. Ferris, this policy change will save the Air Force an average of $356,314 and approximately 8,000 hours per year. Since Oct. 1, 2008, the total Air Force savings from Luke-based ideas is $420,974 and the total Luke award payouts are $21,899. 

The Air Force IDEA Program awards range from $200 to $10,000. For more information on the program and how to submit ideas, call Mr. Jim Ferris at (623) 856-4332; or visit https://ipds.csd.disa.mil. 

Courtesy 56th Force Support Squadron and 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs