Aircraft Armament student aces course

Published Feb. 14, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airman 1st Class Giovanni Bufalini-Balla, a 363rd Training Squadron aircraft armament student from Maryville, Tenn., has accomplished a feat few ever see in their training school.

The ACE award, given for maintaining a 100 percent average throughout each block test, was earned by Bufalini-Balla Feb. 12 on base.

Tech Sgt. Brian Marchand, a 363rd aircraft armament instructor, notes a certain sense of pride for his first ACE award student.

"It's been four years since armament had an ACE," he said. "It's awesome. I'm pretty amazed that I'm seeing one."

Bufalini-Balla counts the achievement as one that demanded his full attention.

"It's not easy," he said. "I definitely couldn't have gotten this far if I didn't give it my best."

The Florida-bound Airmen will soon find himself touching down at Eglin Air Force Base, where he looks forward to learning the nuances of his job and the arrival of his wife, Leah. He counts the A-10 Warthog and F-15 Strike Eagle as his favorite aircraft and can't wait to see them on the operational flight line.

"I'm pretty excited to work on my two favorite aircrafts," he said.

Marchand wants the award to serve as a beacon for other students to strive for.

"It helps reinforce the dedication and hard work they went through to get to that point," he said. "They can achieve whatever they put their mind to."