E&E graduate garners ACE academic award Published May 30, 2012 By Dan Hawkins 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airman 1st Class Darren Clarke received the ACE award Jun 1 during a graduation ceremony for the 364th Training Squadron's Electrical and Environmental Systems 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. The Electrical and Environment Systems apprentice course provides training in the knowledge and skills needed to perform maintenance on aircraft electrical and environmental systems. The course includes training on: aircraft familiarization, maintenance and inspection systems, DC Principles, AC Electronics, and maintenance basics. It also includes lessons on the AF technical order system, flightline safety, aircraft forms, maintenance data collection, troubleshooting techniques, and wiring schematics/diagrams, power generation, landing gear and warning systems, lighting, flight controls and cargo door systems, air conditioning, bleed air, pressurization and utility/oxygen systems. Clarke, who hails from Pembrooke Pines, Fla., is assigned to the 482nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.