Cooper named 188th Fighter Wing's Crew Chief of the Year

by Capt. Heath Allen
188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/23/2009 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Senior Airman Chris Cooper is certainly having a December to remember.

Cooper, 25, was named the 2009 Ricky Culpepper Crew Chief of the Year for his hard work, dedication and professionalism while assigned to the 188th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Chief Master Sgt. Mike Lensing, 188th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent said the primary objective of the yearly award is to recognize individuals in the career field that consistently demonstrate a number of positive attributes.

Lensing, Col. Mark Berry, 188th Maintenance Group commander, and Lt. Col. J.J. Krimmel, 188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, were on hand to present the award during a Unit Training Assembly Dec. 5.

"It's certainly an honor to be chosen as Crew Chief of the Year," Cooper said. "I became a crew chief because I have always been fascinated with airplanes and I love working on them. The experience I've gained and the lessons I've learned from everyone on the flightline is unbelievable. I feel like I can go to any one of them for advice. It's definitely a great place to work."

Lensing, said the accolade was created to recognize individuals who consistently demonstrate honesty, integrity and dedication, present a professional attitude and exhibit a willingness to place the needs of others before their own.

"We try to select a person that demonstrates these qualities not only at work but within the community," Lensing said. "This award is named after Ricky Culpepper because of the example that he set for us while he was a crew chief at the 188th. He set the standard for all to follow."

The master sergeants and flight chiefs of 188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron meet at the conclusion of each quarter to select two Crew Chiefs of the Quarter, one from each flight. Each crew chief selected for that particular honor is also a nominee eligible for the Ricky Culpepper Award.

The entire crew chief flock then casts a vote at year's end to determine the Crew Chief of the Year.

"Senior Airman Cooper's actions and deeds earned the respect and confidence of his co-workers and supervisors," Lensing said. "He was definitely deserving of this honor."

The Crew Chiefs of the Quarter for 2009 were Cooper, Melanie Amos, Jaron Smith, Jacob Harrell, Kody Morris, Andy Morgan, Michael Allen and Brice Cunningham.

"I was up against some talented competition," Cooper said. "Any one of the nominees was deserving of this award. They're all great crew chiefs and great people."

Tyler Peters won the award in 2008 and Orion Stell was the recipient in 2007.



From left: Chief Master Sgt. Mike Lensing, 188th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent; Col. Mark Berry 188th Maintenance Group commander; Senior Airman Chris Cooper, 188th crew chief; and Lt. Col. J.J. Krimmel, 188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. Cooper received the 188th's Ricky Culpepper Crew Chief of the Year award December 5, 2009, during a Unit Training Assembly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Brambl / 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs) Hi-res



Senior Airman Chris Cooper, 188th Fighter Wing crew chief, right, speaks with 188th retiree Ricky Culpepper December 5, 2009, during a Unit Training Assembly. Cooper received the annual Ricky Culpepper Crew Chief of the Year award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Brambl / 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs) Hi-res

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