Airlifter of the Week drives innovative idea

Story and photo by
Airman 1st Class Jennifer Gonzales
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Senior Airman Josh Pedigo, 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, received the honor of being Ramstein’s Airlifter of the Week, May 16.
After 86th VRS transitioned to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators standards there were increased training requirements for certification on commercial driver’s license class vehicles. Pedigo designed and produced training aids which allowed Airmen to be trained and certified more efficiently, and they have since been implemented in the six primary squadrons impacted by the transition.

Additionally, Pedigo was directly responsible for 300 hours of on-the-job training for assigned 86th VRS ground transportation Airmen which resulted in the completion of 400 core tasks and the certification of 17 Airmen on three vehicle types.
Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, said Pedigo’s work at the level of a Lt. Col to Col., and to have it adopted by six other squadrons was impressive.
“That’s not senior airman- level work that you’re able to do and get it adopted by everybody else,” August said to Pedigo. “I don’t think you have any idea how big it is what you did, and for you to say ‘hey, here’s a problem, here’s a solution, here’s some training aids. I can still get my guys certified with all these CDL requirements and get to the standard’ is more than impressive. It’s unprecedented.”
The Airlifter of the Week program recognizes Ramstein Airmen who, through hard work and dedication, make the 86th Airlift Wing the World’s Best Wing.