Aircrew flight equipment apprentice pulls down ACE award Published Aug. 20, 2012 By Dan Hawkins 82nd Training Wing Public Affair SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Staff Sgt. David Cook received the ACE award Aug. 21st during a graduation ceremony for the 361st Training Squadron's Aircrew Flight Equipment 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 aircrew flight equipment apprentic e course, airmen are trained how to help aircrews and pilots prepare for flight operations. This includes learning how to ensure all flight equipment is in perfect working order - from flight helmets to oxygen masks. They are also responsible for ensuring all emergency safety equipment such as parachutes and survival kits are ready to go should they be needed. Just knowing that If an aircrew needs to make use of emergency equipment, it could mean the difference between life and death, means their work must be perfect every time. "This course was a challenging experience," Cook said. "Just knowing I'm part of the one of the most technically challenging career fields in the Air Force is exciting for me." Cook, who hails from Murrieta, Calif.,is assigned to the 452nd Operational Support Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif.