AGS Recognizes Ascenders Nationwide

This fall, AGS Task Leads at three locations- Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH (WPAFB), Warner Robins, GA (WR), and Hanscom Air Force Base, MA (HAFB) recognized outstanding employees for their exemplary contributions to AGS and the customers they serve.

At WPAFB, Task Lead Brian Peters recognized Thomas Hartung and Arron Jenkins for their outstanding contributions. The F-15QA program, in support of Foreign Military Sales – Qatari Air Force, has been spinning up for Airworthiness Review and Military Flight Release.  Mr. Hartung has been instrumental in generating, collecting, and analyzing the engineering data needed to complete these critical program milestones.  While carefully executing the Test Program, Tom’s team has also been asked to bring a new F-15QA Lead Engineer up-to-speed on the program.  Even during the extended telework environment created by the pandemic, Tom and his team deftly handled both tasks.  Paul Hrosch, the F-15QA Lead Engineer, wrote, “I would also say to you – you and your test team are probably the best I have seen on any program I have ever worked – knowledgeable, engaged, proactive, and very professional.  Definitely what is needed on this F-15QA program!” The F-15QA’s on-time delivery reflects the highest credit upon Tom’s professionalism and hard work.

This is the second Ascender Award for Arron Jenkins, a Program Manger in the Rapid Development Integration Facility (RDIF). Mr. Jenkins has been an AGS all-star since day one. He is a key player in an additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping activity within the System Program Office.  Previously, he redesigned and prototyped a cooling adapter kit to support the MQ-9 Unmanned Air Vehicle.  Recently, he helped design and manufacture 36 electro-explosive squibs to support the F-22 program.  This design was produced in the RDIF for just $30 each.  A competing contractor quoted the squibs at $30K each (over $1M of initial cost avoidance).  The RDIF will be able to produce replacements for the life of the F-22 program, garnering even more savings.  Finally, Arron helped design, build, and test a shipping container that allows specific munitions to be safely air-dropped, in a transport mode, from cargo aircraft to ground forces.  Arron continues to innovate and inspire, never losing sight of his priority- supporting the warfighter.

At WR, Task Lead Steve Johnson acknowledged Allison Dow and James Clay for their efforts supporting Foreign Military Sales customers. Ms. Dow supports the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 FMS Country Standard Technical Orders (CSTO) Support Services as a member of the Comparative Analysis Team (CAT). In her short time with AGS, she revamped the CAT delivery and review process, streamlining the effort and improving efficiency. She also developed a process to breakdown and deliver data to the Program Manager, highlighting the advancements made by the team on the Saudi sustainment effort.

Mr. Clay supports the F-15 Technical Coordination Program for the Republic of South Korea Air Force (ROKAF). In his role as a Technical Data Engineer, he consistently produces quality products and deliveries. James is a crucial point of contact for IMIS conversion to PDF and was a key contributor to the successful creation of the ROKAF sustainment library. James has become the go-to team member for all technical issues and has an infectious positive attitude that has lent to maintaining a positive team morale despite challenges present by the COVID-19 environment.

Georgette Collatos received an Ascender Award from HAFB Task Lead Sam Montgomery for her role as an indispensable team player on the Cloud One team, a high-visibility program. Despite the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 global pandemic, Georgette has ensured the program continues on schedule.  Georgette received special recognition for her work on the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) effort.  She had a pivotal role in getting the RPA requirement awarded.  The PEO for C3I&N, Maj Gen Schmidt, pointed out that this huge achievement was recognized by the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General Wilson.  The RPA capability has already had many positive impacts to the Air Force as well as the 66 SFS.

AGS is deeply grateful to our employees who, despite the challenges of operating in the COVID-19 environment, have remained committed to providing second-to-none support for our customers.