86th AW recognizes Young Leadership Award recipient

Story and photo by Senior Airman Caitlin O’Neil-McKeown
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Tech. Sgt. Lorenzo Walker, 86th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment quality assurance, poses for a photo April 29 on Ramstein. Walker was selected to receive the 2013 Airlift/Tanker Association Young Leadership award. The award recognizes and honors entities or mission groups who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances above and beyond their duties.
Tech. Sgt. Lorenzo Walker, 86th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment quality assurance, poses for a photo April 29 on Ramstein. Walker was selected to receive the 2013 Airlift/Tanker Association Young Leadership award. The award recognizes and honors entities or mission groups who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances above and beyond their duties.

A member of the 86th Operations Support Squadron was recently selected for the 2013 Airlift/Tanker Association Young Leadership award. The winner is Tech. Sgt. Lorenzo Walker, aircrew flight equipment quality assurance.

“When I heard I had won I was so surprised; I wasn’t expecting to win at the group level, let alone at the wing level,” Walker said. “I believe that you should do your job the best you can and everything else that comes of it is a bonus.”

The A/TA’s purpose for the award is to recognize and honor entities or mission groups that have distinguished themselves with exceptional performance above and beyond their duties. They also identify and highlight outstanding individuals whose achievements distinguish them as future leaders.

“Walker inspires those around him to perform at their best,” said Master Sgt. Matthew Shaffer, 86th OSS aircrew flight equipment quality assurance. “He is consistent and always expects others to try their hardest with any task they are given.”

Walker’s package included a variety of achievements from performing efficiently on the job and earning a Community College of the Air Force degree in safety systems, to volunteering for Airmen Against Drunk Driving and Project Rudolph.

“He was nominated and won because he continues to better himself and those around him,” Shaffer said. “He always has a smile to give in any situation and continually tackles the hardest tasks asked of him.”

Walker will continue on to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa level in hopes of competing at the
Air Force level.

“Really, it’s about the whole Airman concept,” Walker said. “Doing your job, giving back to the community and getting an education, you need to do it all.”