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JBSA News
NEWS | Aug. 10, 2011

12th OSS members win award

By 2nd Lt. John Fox 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

John Cranek and John Bock, both from the 12th Operations Support Squadron, were named the 2010 Outstanding U.S. Air Force Aircrew Flight Equipment Civilian of the Year, category I and II, respectively.

"Distinguishing themselves with this award is absolutely wonderful, but not surprising," Lt. Col. Dale Hetke, 12th OSS commander, said. "They are both tremendously dedicated employees who consistently go above and beyond on a daily basis. Their outstanding work ethic is infectious and continues to pull their respective AFE shops, and the entire squadron, to new heights."

As AFE specialists, Cranek and Bock are responsible for inspecting and maintaining all flight and emergency safety equipment so aircrews and pilots can fulfill their everyday missions and make use of things like parachutes and survival kits in the event of an emergency. They also instruct aircrews on the purpose, operations, care and use of their equipment.

Their combined efforts have translated into more than 37,000 safe sorties for T-38 and T-6 pilots at Randolph.

Cranek, who runs the AFE shop at the 560th Flying Training Squadron, gives credit to his supervisor, Darlene Daspit-Pohl, for helping him to achieve the prestigious award.
Hetke describes him at work as a relentless and meticulous facility manager providing expert knowledge of safety, T-38 survival kits, gear inspection and maintenance, and is said to be an ambassador of service to the community.

Taking pride not only in his work, but also in his workplace, Cranek used his own time to landscape the exterior of his hangar, restore the hallways with a fresh coat of paint and re-hang more than 180 pieces of artwork.

The impact of Bock's work extends out from the base to the community. He leads a team at the 559th FTS that performs 600 AFE inspections per month, has volunteered more than 300 hours of service to local veterans in the past year and is credited with efforts in the build-up of AFE shops in Iraq, Morocco and Pensacola, Fla.

"I am extremely fortunate to work with great leadership and the best AFE technicians in the business," Bock said. "We had an overwhelming amount of projects and tasking in 2010 and we accomplished the mission by utilizing teamwork."