Maintenance Airman wins ACE award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The act of getting a 100 percent consistently is a challenging task for any Airman, but on July 10, Airman 1st Class Nathan A. Nuveman received an ACE award for maintaining a perfect score through eight blocks of instruction in the 362nd Training Squadron's F-16 aircraft maintenance apprentice course.

He feels staying focused was one the factors in his success. He counted his passion for the job as one of the favorite aspects of what he does.

"It feels good to be rewarded for dedication toward education and learning," Nuveman said. "I like to work on things. Not everyone can work on planes that are worth millions of dollars."

The ACE award recipient found inspiration and motivation from his parents of Leipsic, Ohio.

"Everybody back home wants me to keep going," he said. "They were really excited and I made them proud."

Once Nuveman was notified of his accomplishment he felt a sense of relief.

"It was a load off my shoulders," he said. "To finally be done is a relaxing feeling."

Nuveman's teacher also feels that he worked hard to achieve what others rarely do.

"He was an outstanding student," said Michael Roth, an F-16 crew chief course instructor. "I'm happy to see that he can be recognized for what he does."

Roth, who has been teaching at Sheppard for ten years, also counted Nuveman as the first ACE award recipient to come through his course.

"The core value of excellence in all you do stands true for getting the ACE award," he said.

On graduation day, one step closer to beginning his Air Force career, Nuveman intends to show the same sense of performance in whatever he does.

"I plan to retain and show the same work ethic," he said. "It helps out in the operational Air Force."

Nuveman will become a member of the 180th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in the Ohio National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing. Before he returns home, he will go to Luke Air Force Base for follow-on training.