Sheppard crew chief apprentice student earns ACE award Published March 18, 2019 By Airman 1st Class Madeleine E. Remillard SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Nine blocks. Eighty training days. Six hundred forty hours of hard work and concentration. This is what it takes to become an Air Force crew chief apprentice. Airman 1st Class Christian Fischer, a Wisconsin native and Sheppard AFB 362nd Training Squadron crew chief apprentice course student, did what it takes and more. Fischer completed the training with a score of 100 percent on every progress check and block test, earning himself the ace award. Rank and Name: Airman 1st Class Christian Fischer Unit: 115th Fighter Wing, Truax Field Air National Guard Base, Madison, Wisconsin Duty title: F-16 crew chief apprentice Hometown: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Time in Service: 4 months Why you joined the Air Force: To serve the country and get an education Family: Parents, Anne and Bruce (both retired lieutenant colonel); siblings, Adam (staff sergeant) and Luke Hobbies: Playing the guitar and trumpet, hiking, camping and snowboarding Favorite aspect of the job: Working with my hands and being able to see the results of my work Most memorable Air Force experience: Graduating basic military training How do you make responsible choices: By always having a plan and trusting my wingmen Instructor comment: “In my entire career, I have never heard of someone getting the ace award, which makes this achievement very momentous. This award takes a lot of determination and hard work to accomplish. Airman 1st Class Fischer has displayed this determination throughout the entire course and displays the whole Airman concept by leading his class and aiding them to achieve better grades and floor task completion.” – Staff Sgt. Kenneth Evans, 362nd TRS crew chief apprentice course instructor