KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Ensuring the aircraft assigned to the 403rd Wing’s flying squadrons are safe and ready to fly is the job of the 403rd Maintenance Group. One particular maintenance officer was recognized recently for his superb managerial and leadership skills, as well as his exceptional maintenance knowledge. Second Lt. Anthony Gehl, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer, received the 2017 Air Force Reserve Command Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award in the category of Aircraft Maintenance Company Grade Manager.
Gehl’s supervisor, 403rd AMXS commander Maj. Adam Zeithammel, said he felt Gehl was the perfect candidate to submit for this award.
“Tony is not your average second lieutenant,” said Zeithammel. “He is a prior enlisted master sergeant crew chief that spent 14 years turning wrenches on our WC-130J aircraft. As the senior ART in the squadron, he now manages maintenance on these same aircraft and provides outstanding leadership for our personnel. He has done a tremendous job and I couldn't be more proud of the way he represents every member of the 403rd AMXS.”
According to Air Force instructions, the Leo Marquez Award recognizes base-level military and civil service aircraft, munitions, and missile maintenance personnel who perform exceptionally well in their duties involving hands-on maintenance or maintenance management.
Gehl served in the 403rd AMXS since his original enlistment in October 2002. He then joined the squadron full-time as an Air Reserve Technician in 2003, working as expeditor assigning personnel to maintain and repair the WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” here.
In September 2016, Gehl received his commission as a second lieutenant, and then he became the 403rd AMXS ART operations officer in October 2017.
Throughout 2017, Gehl worked with members of both the 403rd AMXS and 803rd AMXS, which services the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft flown by the 815th Airlift Squadron “Flying Jennies”, to gain experience as an operations officer.
During that time, Gehl was commended for his leadership of the 403rd AMXS, ensuring aircraft was available and ready for 90 Hurricane Hunter missions, which helped the 53rd WRS meet 100% of the storm flight taskings assigned by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration during the 10th busiest hurricane season on record.
On the airlift squadron side, Gehl received accolades for his assistance with Operation Coronet Oak, a U.S. Southern Command operation that normally involves a variety of missions, such as resupplying U.S. embassies, medical evacuation missions and supporting for U.S. troops in the region. Gehl helped coordinate 22 personnel to fly nine sorties, moving a total of 246 passengers and delivering various cargo.
While Gehl said he appreciates the recognition, he stressed that the mission performed by maintenance is a team effort and doesn’t just rest on the efforts of any one person.
“I enjoy just being here, being a part of the team and of the people I work with. It’s great the way everybody works together, all the way down to the new Airman who just comes in,” said Gehl. “The family feel we have helps to keep everyone working together and keeps the mission going.”
Note: The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” and 815th Airlift Squadron “Flying Jennies” are flying squadrons assigned to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.