SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Three Airmen from the 365th Training Squadron’s instruments and flight controls apprentice course here earned the distinction of being “ace” students as they recorded perfect scores throughout their training.
Airmen 1st Class Mitchell Belwolff, Charles Hanson and Travis Lee graduated from the 10-week, roughly 50-academic day course Oct. 4, 2019. They Airmen learned concepts such as how to operate and maintain instrument and flight control systems; diagnose malfunctions by using technical orders, schematics, wiring diagrams, and test equipment; interpret findings and recommend corrective actions on the systems; and more.
Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Mitchell Belwolff
Unit (gaining): 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Duty title: Instruments and flight controls apprentice
Hometown: Canton, Ohio
Time in Service: 6 months
Why you joined: Travel, family benefits and work on U.S. aircraft
Family: Ashely Belwolff, wife; Cheryl McNutty, mother; Josh Armstrong and Jonathan Costin, brothers; Mindy Campbell and Ashley Ruff, sisters
Hobbies: ATVs, target shooting, archery, anime, weightlifting, jiu jitsu
Favorite aspect of job: Working on an awesome aircraft, the C-130.
Most memorable Air Force experience: The bus ride leaving basic military training.
How do you make responsible choices: Think of what would make my family proud.
Instructor comments:
“The ACE award is the top award an Airman can receive in tech school. Receiving this award signifies the hard work and dedication that Airman 1st Class Belwolff put in while being at Sheppard AFB. Airman 1st Class Belwolff displayed the whole Airman Concept on a daily basis from his dress and appearance to his study habits and professionalism. A well-deserved honor.” – Tech. Sgt. Richard Blue, 365th TRS instruments and flight controls apprentice course instructor
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Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Charles Hanson
Unit (gaining): 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
Duty title: Instruments and flight controls apprentice
Hometown: Ventura, California
Time in Service: 6 months
Why you joined: I’ve always wanted to be a part of the industry that operates in and is a part of space/aerospace, and because of the support and encouragement of my wife, I decided to pursue that dream with the Air Force while simultaneously serving my country.
Family: Natasha, wife; Mahina, dog.
Hobbies: Hiking in the mountains/beach with my wife and dog, snowboarding, and spending evenings with my wife watching our favorite TV shows.
Favorite aspect of job: Being a part of the avionics team/mission that maintains the Air Force’s B-1B supersonic bomber. I cannont wait to work on that aircraft.
Most memorable Air Force experience: Receiving my Airman’s Coin from my military training instructor, Tech. Sgt. Burkhalter, at my basic military training graduation, and hearing her say “good job” for the first time.
How do you make responsible choices: I remember three things: The family I want to always support, the change that I wanted to make in my life, and the second change that the Air Force has given me.
Instructor comments:
“The significance of an ACE award is this Airman missed no questions on block tests the whole time here and never gave me the impression he was worried about missing any. Airman 1st Class Hanson is a very confident and competent student. I expect he will do very well in the active Air Force. In class, he would always go the extra mile, always want more detail about the systems and more knowledge about the aircraft and the Air Force in general. He was all in, all the time; 110% effort through the whole course.” – James Hedrick, 365th TRS instruments and flight controls apprentice course instructor
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Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Travis Lee
Unit (gaining): 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
Duty title: Instruments and flight controls apprentice
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Time in Service: 6 months
Why you joined: To pursue my ambitions and create a brighter future.
Family: Louis Lee, father; Bernadette Behring, stepmother; Troy Lee, brother and Marine Corps veteran.
Hobbies: Playing guitar, reading comics, weightlifting
Favorite aspect of job: Knowing my actions help keep others safe.
Most memorable Air Force experience: Presenting my flightmates their dog tags at BEAST.
How do you make responsible choices: By following the rules and doing what is right and honest.
Instructor comments:
“Airman 1st Class Lee is the epitome of an Airman leader. Throughout the avionics course, he has been hungry for knowledge and always strived for excellence. He will make an excellent addition to the next unit and his future looks bright.” – Staff Sgt. Michael Blue, 365th TRS instruments and flight controls apprentice course instructor