C-135 aircraft maintenace apprentice earns ACE award Published Aug. 29, 2012 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Staff Sgt. Gregory Whiteside received the ACE award Aug. 29th during a graduation ceremony for the 362nd Training Squadron's C-135 aircraft maintenance apprentice course. The ACE award is the highest academic honor a student can receive and is earned for exceptional performance by maintaining a perfect 100% average through the entire course. During the apprentice course, Airmen study heavy aircraft fundamentals, maintenance documentation, technical orders, airframe & egress, electrical, hydraulics, flight controls, landing gear, utilities, fuels, engines and inspections. The C-135 aircraft maintenance course has three C-135 aircraft and four indoor simulation trainers that allow students hands on training with real aircraft and aerospace systems. They are also responsible for ensuring all emergency safety equipment such as parachutes and survival kits are ready to go should they be needed. Whiteside, who hails from South Riding, Va., and graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in eletrical engineering,is assigned to the 459th Air Refueling Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.