Airlifter of the Week: 786th CES Airman receives honor

by Staff Sgt. Tory Patterson
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

A 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman received the honor of being Airlifter of the Week on Ramstein Air Base, April 25.
The 86th Airlift Wing commander and command chief lauded Airman 1st Class Justin Serna, 786th CES locksmith apprentice.
Serna, one of four certified locksmiths on the installation, is responsible for securing more than 1,000 base facilities.
Recently, Serna led a three-member team on an emergency lockout response at Ramstein’s flight simulator facility. The team’s troubleshooting secured Air Force training capabilities.
Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, elaborated on the importance of the lockout response.
“The simulator alone is 35 million dollars, and it sits inside a 30 million dollars building,” said August. “The capability of that building allows aircrew to go and execute their wartime tactics. Not long ago, we couldn’t operate it because we couldn’t secure that building. You have a piece of all those mission sets.”
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.”