Instructor supervisor is commander's "Wingman of Choice" for Apr 29-May 3

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  • By 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Tech. Sgt. Simon Fancher, an instructor supervisor for the 362nd Training Squadron, was named the 82nd TRW "Commander's Wingman of Choice" award winner for the week of April 29-May 3.

The 82nd Training Wing "Commander's Wingman of Choice" award program is the commander's way of acknowledging Airmen for a job well done and to recognize Airmen who exemplify the spirit of the program.

Criteria for consideration include outstanding duty performance, community involvement and exemplary leadership

Go by name: Simon

Duty title: Instructor Supervisor

Hometown: Paonia, Colorado

Years of service and time on Sheppard: 13 years, 2.5 years at Sheppard

Family: Spouse (Heather); son (7)

Education: Two associates degrees from American Military University

What inspires you: Help people in various capacities

Future goals: Obtain bachelors degree

Greatest accomplishment: Being a family man

Hobbies, off-duty interests: Loves to run and bike (anything outdoors)

Why is this person the Wingman of Choice?

· Tech. Sgt. Fancher has been the Program Manager for the SAPR Office Target Intervention Class since June 2011. Since he took over the program, he's selflessly led the scheduling/training of 1,600+ AiTs (including sister services) across 26 classes, and oversaw the qualification/scheduling of 17 course instructors. He was responsible for providing training two Saturdays each month, and even deployed his training to the local community, where he trained 350 MSU students. His Target Intervention Program emphasized bystander accountability with respect to preventing sexual assaults and provided self-defense techniques. The target audience was primarily Airmen-in-Training, but he will be holding a class on 4 May 13 for spouses.

· C-130 Aircraft Maintenance (Crew Chief) Instructor and Supervisor. Simon led 33 instructors, guiding 872 students through 47K+ course hours, sustaining an impressive 99% graduation rate and awarding 21K CCAF credits hours. Over the past year, he completed the final requirements and was awarded his Master Instructor certification.

Commander's name and comments: Maj Al Martz, 362 TRS/CC

· Tech. Sgt. Fancher continues to be a great example of servant leadership across the wing. He selflessly integrated himself into the SAPR office, working in close coordination with Ms Valerie Cook, and committed countless off-duty hours, on weekends, to educate Airmen and civilians alike on sexual assault prevention, the importance of bystander intervention, and multiple martial arts self-defense techniques to help people avoid becoming victims. It was, in fact, Ms. Cook who made me aware of just how much energy and enthusiasm Sergeant Fancher has brought to the SAPR office while executing the Target Intervention Program.

· Tech. Sgt. Fancher is also his flight's Physical Training Leader and has invested numerous hours devising personalized fitness programs for those seeking improvement. He mentors and leads his 98 flight-mates through physical training sessions he designed in order to maximize the readiness and success of his flight.

· His willingness to give of himself for the betterment of our community, while continuing to excel in his primary duties as an instructor supervisor, truly demonstrates the characteristics of a Wingman of Choice!