Deployed Moody crew chief named Tuskegee Airman of the Week at Balad

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  Senior Airman Ricky Usinger, 64th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit crew chief, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Sept. 20-26.

"He's done some phenomenal work as a helicopter crew chief," said Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 332nd AEW commander, who presented Airman Usinger with the award and a commander's coin at wing headquarters Oct. 2. "He gives great attention to detail, and when he needs to repair something, it's done right the first time."

A Kenosha, Wis., native, Airman Usinger maintained seven HH-60G aircraft, used for combat search and rescue, as well as aided with 15 pre-flight inspections and 40 sortie missions in less than 40 hours. Also, he sustained the unit's alert posture by identifying worn main rotor head scissor bearings, and removing and replacing the wear-damaged items.

"Knowing that my aircraft is running properly and is ready to save lives gives me job satisfaction," said Airman Usinger. "When working with the aircraft (at JBB), I know we're helping to save lives and that pushes me to do my best every day. I told my wife before I left for this deployment that I wanted to put my heart in the mission and be the best I could."

When he's not at work, Airman Usinger also spends time volunteering at the Air Force Theater Hospital's intensive care unit here and pursuing further education. He is six credits shy of attaining his Community College of the Air Force degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

"I believe that Airmen should strive for attaining higher education while deployed," said the husband and father, deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "Also, outside of the work environment, there are a lot of volunteer opportunities on base. It's important to get out and help."

According to his coworkers, his effort and drive made him a clear candidate for TAOW.

"Airman Usinger stands out from his peers in that he exhibits amazing enthusiasm towards the job and the mission we support," said Staff Sgt. Michael Stockmann, 64th EHMU helicopter maintenance craftsman. "He was nominated for this award on the basis of his dedication and strong initiative."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is open to Airmen between the ranks of E-1 and E-5, and is selected based on an Airman's on- and off-duty accomplishments.