1st Communications Maintenance Squadron Airman receives Thunderbolt recognition

Senior Airman Caitlin Guinazu
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Photo by Senior Airman Caitlin Guinazu Tech. Sgt. Bradley Johnson, 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron special communication team leader, inspects communication equipment, May 24 on Kapaun.  Johnson has been recognized by the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing as the most recent Thunderbolt Award recipient.
Photo by Senior Airman Caitlin Guinazu
Tech. Sgt. Bradley Johnson, 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron special communication team leader, inspects communication equipment, May 24 on Kapaun. Johnson has been recognized by the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing as the most recent Thunderbolt Award recipient.

The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing recognized a member of the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron as this week’s Thunderbolt recipient. This award is the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing commander’s way of recognizing his superior performing Airmen.

Tech. Sgt. Bradley Johnson, 1st CMXS special communications team leader, was highlighted for upgrading and installing direct current power circuits for nine network devices on short notice. His attention to detail prevented an additional $64,000 in costs for the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron installation team.

“The 1st CMXS, part of the special communication team in Europe, performs advanced troubleshooting and helps with different projects for installations throughout the continent,” said Johnson. “One of the things that came down just happened to be at Ramstein.”

Johnson was recognized for his efforts in validating the safety and operability of all network equipment ran within the technical control facility.

“I was presented the award at our wing stand up,” said Johnson. “I was happy to be recognized for the job we did, it’s definitely nice to be acknowledged.”

Johnson was recognized by his leadership when he and his team shaved off two weeks from a project that should have taken a month.

“Here at the 1st CMXS we often times have specific people with the sole job of engineering a solution for a specific problem,” said 1st Lt. Ronald Furniel, 1st CMXS operations flight commander. “Johnson is an excellent example of that. Recently he went out, found the problem and engineered and installed a solution. A project that should have taken at least a month, he and his team were able to complete in two weeks.”

The 1st CMXS’s mission includes providing specialized Air Force maintenance support for Department of Defense communication and information systems within the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa’s area of responsibility.

They also support USAFE-AFAFRICA’s engineering and installation requirements by pre-positioning vehicles, resources, design solutions and program management.

The 1st CMXS is Europe’s premier “one-stop-shop” for all specialized command and control support and sustainment and assists in restorations for major installations.