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AFA honors Hurlburt maintainer as #1 crew chief in AF

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kelly Ogden
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A crew chief assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has taken home the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air force Thomas N. Barnes Crew Chief of the Year award.

Staff Sgt. Paul Hiller, a five-year Air Force veteran who works on the AC-130H Spectre, was recognized by the Air Force Association as the number one crew chief in the entire Air Force.

"Sergeant Hiller's win of the Thomas N. Barnes Crew Chief of the Year award is a huge accomplishment and perfect representation of a 2,900-manned 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group," said Chief Master Sgt. James Wilkerson, 1st SOMSG superintendent.

"He's the epitome of a dedicated crew chief, and it's an honor as well as a privilege to have witnessed this stellar maintainer carry out 'performing the nation's business' via hard work and dedication."

The Air Force crew chief is the first and the last person to touch a combat weapons system, such as the unique high demand/low density aircraft in the 1st Special Operations Wing. They're charged with leading others and managing assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars as well as ensuring aircrews have safe and reliable aircraft to fly, fight and win.

In addition to being hands-on with his aircraft, Sergeant Hiller is also hands-on with his personnel. His training program led to a mission completion rate of 94 percent, an all-time high for the AC-130H since 1999.

While deployed for a 90-day period, he was responsible for maintaining a fleet of aircraft. During this deployment, he launched and recovered 23 combat missions, garnering an impressive 98 percent mission completion rate.

Sergeant Hiller, who is "deeply honored and still in shock" from being selected as the top-notch crew chief in the Air Force, attributes his win to his upbringing as well as being supervised and trained by some of the hardest working individuals in the Air Force.

Not only does Sergeant Hiller stand out with his job performance, he also excels in personal and professional military education. He currently holds a 3.25 GPA in his pursuit to complete his bachelor's degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and he earned distinguished graduate honors at the Airman Leadership School.

His advice to other Airmen who want to follow in his footsteps is, "Never give up, give your best and have the attitude that no job is too big or too small ... don't become discouraged when your hard work isn't recognized, keep pushing forward!"