Home > News > Photos

Photos

Keyword: Category: Tag: Sort By:
Thunderbolt of the Week: Staff Sgt. Stephanie Ruepp


Luke AFB TBOTW

Thunderbolt of the Week: Staff Sgt. Stephanie Ruepp

Related Imagery
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Thunderbolt of the Week: Staff Sgt. Theron Canale
Thunderbolt of the Week: Senior Airman Alonzo Medley
Thunderbolt of the Week: Staff Sgt. Edward Williams
Thunderbolt of the Week: Airman 1st Class Luis Guzman
Thunderbolt of the Week: Staff Sgt. Joseph Bihms
Thunderbolt of the Week: Senior Airman Carrie Zent
Thunderbolt of the Week: Senior Airman Melissa Johnson
Thunderbolt of the Week: Senior Airman Timothy Saar

F-35 Heritage Flt Team