English Language Training at Sheppard

Staff Sgt. Patrick Gordon, 362nd Training Squadron aerospace propulsion instructor, congratulates Airman 1st Class Andrew Richter at the conclusion of his class graduation Oct. 7, 2015, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Richter earned the ACE award for maintaining a perfect score through the entire seven blocks of course instruction. He was also the top graduate. Richter will return to his Air National Guard unit in Sioux Falls, S.D. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares)

English Language Training at Sheppard

Maj. Adam MacKenzie, 361st Training Squadron commander, presents Airman 1st Class Andrew Richter, 361st TRS aerospace propulsion graduate, with the ACE award during the class graduation at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 7, 2015. Richter earned the ACE award for maintaining a perfect score through the entire seven blocks of course instruction. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares)

Aerospace propulsion

Airman 1st Class Andrew Richter, 361st TRS aerospace propulsion graduate, is an ACE award recipient from the aerospace propulsion course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 7, 2015. Richter earned prefect scores on all seven blocks of training throughout the three-month long course. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares)

Aerospace propulsion Airman stays perfect, earns ACE

Published Oct. 6, 2015
By Staff Reports
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airman 1st Class Andrew Richter, 361st Training Squadron, earned the ACE award for scoring 100 percent on all his tests in the aerospace propulsion apprentice course. As an aerospace propulsion specialist, Thompson will ensure aircraft engines are in first-rate operational condition for mission effectiveness. His career tasks will include diagnosing engine problems, including the fuel, oil, electrical and engine airflow systems, removing defective components and install serviceable machinery, and performing test runs on repaired engines. Thompson graduated Oct. 7, 2015.

Unit: 114th Fighter Wing, Joe Foss Field, S.D.

Duty title: Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice

Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Time in Service: 2 years

Why you joined: "My father is a retired senior master sergeant in the Air Force and I love the Air Force. Also my wife has multiple sclerosis and I want to provide and take care of her needs."

Family: Father - Steve, mother - Lori, wife - Cassandra, brother - Aaron and sister - April

Hobbies: Outdoor sports and shooting guns

Favorite aspect of job: Learning how the jet engine operates and working with my fellow Airmen day to day.

Most memorable Air Force experience: Basic Military Training graduation

How do you make responsible choices: "I prioritize the things I need get done and things I want to get done, then accomplish the tasks before they are due."

"The F110 E-shred course is a very difficult course to accomplish a 100 percent grade point average in," said Staff Sgt. Patrick Gordon. "A1C Richter started this with the goal of learning this engine inside and out and becoming a subject matter expert. He put forth the effort and exceeded his goal. A1C Richter has done more than just excel academically; as the class leader he has demonstrated maturity and dedication to service, and been a positive role model for his classmates, as well as the other students in this schoolhouse throughout his time here in the Propulsion Apprentice Course."