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by Staff Sgt. Kirsten Brandes
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Zachary Tingen, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems craftsman, received the honor of being Airlifter of the Week, July 15.
Tingen recently stepped up to fulfill the role of fuels section chief. He led his team in an effort to increase maintenance capabilities through cross utilization training, taking the opportunity to get 18 of his fuels personnel aircraft tow qualified.
Scott C. Lockard, 86th Airlift Wing vice director, lauded Tingen for being the maintenance squadron’s first qualified tug driver certifier.
“It’s not very common for fuels personnel to be tug qualified, and then to train the whole shop and build the program,” said Lockard. “That’s the reason we decided [he] should be the Airlifter of the Week.”
CUT training is an innovative program designed to ease manning shortages through education. Personnel learn skill sets from different Air Force Specialty Codes to increase aircraft maintenance capabilities. In Tingen’s case, his personnel in the fuels section certified as wing and tail walkers, hand-pump operators and brake operators.
“Part of the way that we deal with the fact that we don’t have enough of the right people in the right places is through doing creative things like CUT training,” said Lockard, of the work Tingen accomplished. “To use their talents and prioritize mission sets so we can get the most stuff done… that’s the critical piece.”
For Tingen, the recognition bolstered his satisfaction in his job.
“It’s humbling,” Tingen said. “It makes you proud of the work you do.”
The Airlifter of the Week program recognizes Ramstein Airmen who, through their hard work and dedication, make the 86th AW the “World’s Best Wing.”
