Features

86 AMXS NCO earns Airlifter of the Week

September 19, 2019

Story and photos by
Staff Sgt. Kirsten Brandes
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew S. Husemann, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, recognizes Airlifter of the Week Staff Sgt. Spencer Koepp, a C-130 aircraft maintenance craftsman with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, in front of his squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Sept. 12. Koepp was selected as the Airlifter of the Week for his efforts during Carpathian Fall, a recent flying training deployment in Otopeni, Romania.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Koepp, a C-130 aircraft maintenance craftsman with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was recognized as Airlifter of the Week, Sept. 12.

In August, Koepp led a 10-member maintenance team in support of Carpathian Fall, a two-week long flying training deployment in Otopeni, Romania. His team was responsible for launching and recovering three 86th Airlift Wing C-130J aircraft at a foreign military airport, with minimal aerospace ground equipment and support tools.
Koepp’s leadership and dedication to effective maintenance enabled the 37th Airlift Squadron to fly 35 sorties, transport 60.2 tons of cargo, and perform 28 container delivery system drops over the course of the deployment.
Col. Matthew S. Husemann, 86th AW vice com­mander, lauded Koepp for his work ethic in Romania.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Koepp, a C-130 aircraft maintenance craftsman with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, stands in front of his squadron as he’s recognized as the Airlifter of the Week at Ramstein Air Base, Sept. 12. Koepp received the award for his effective leadership of a 10-member team during Carpathian Fall, a recent flying training deployment in Otopeni, Romania.

“The write up that we got was just immense, on everything that [Koepp] did to take care of and launch aircraft,” said Husemann. “Not just for us, but to make sure that we’re taking care of the Romanians. That professional airlift… [Koepp] delivered it down there, each and
every day.”
The 86th AW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Ernesto J. Rendon, accompanied the vice commander to offer his congratulations to Koepp.
“What you represent is all about being good at your job, and then going above and beyond that,” Rendon said, to Koepp. “We can talk about leadership and all the other stuff that the Air Force expects of us as Airmen, but none of that matters if we don’t have good, qualified 7-level technicians that know how to do a job, and know how to bring up Airmen that come after you.”
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Safis, aircraft maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge at the 86th AMXS, said the choice to nominate Koepp was easy.

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew S. Husemann, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, congratulates Staff Sgt. Spencer Koepp, a C-130 aircraft maintenance craftsman with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, on being named Airlifter of the Week at Ramstein Air Base, Sept. 12. Koepp received the award for his outstanding performance at Carpathian Fall, a recent flying training deployment in Otopeni, Romania.

“When they came back from Romania, the maintenance crew had their top performers and he was number one,” Safis said. “He’s top notch. He’s the go-to guy.”
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.”

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