Airman's ingenuity prevents short circuit

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Cutting costs and saving money is at the forefront of many organizations' agendas. The law of supply and demand plays a major factor in the price of equipment; finding alternatives to scarce and pricey items is considered a significant win.

Staff Sgt. Donnecha Blackmon, 509th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program lead circuit card repair technician, is one Airman whose work is nearly immeasurable to the wing according to Col. Matthew Kmon, 509th MXG commander.

Because of her industrial standard training, Sergeant Blackmon was able to successfully repair a non-procured A1 interface card for the 509th MXS avionics test station and avoided a cost of $370,000 for the next available assembly.

"Her efforts were vital in repairing one of three test stations in Air Force inventory and allowed the uninterrupted local repair capability and operational test of the actuator remote terminal, one of the heaviest demanded parts on the B-2," said Chief Master Sgt. Sam Hook, 509th MXG superintendent.

Sergeant Blackmon's former experience in back shop as a B-2 avionics technician has allowed her to identify the importance of the test equipment's value to the Air Force.

Sergeant Blackmon will say she was just doing her job, but she enjoys doing what she does and working with the best people in the Air Force.

"Sergeant Blackmon aggressively pursues AFREP's mission and pushes her technicians to do the same," said Senior Master Sgt. Richi Buford, 509th MXG quality assurance chief inspector. "She takes pride in her quality of work and ensures others are meeting required standards. Additionally, she accepts challenges others shy away from and is truly a valuable member of Team Whiteman and the U.S. Air Force."

Sergeant Blackmon said her work is meticulous thus important to her.

"My job also allows me to uphold the integrity of the parts going into the B-2," she said. "I am overjoyed to know I helped the Air Force save money which can conceivably go towards the improvement of other Airman's workspace, equipment, and quality of life."

The squadron's leadership finds it easy to sing Sergeant Blackmon's praise.

"I couldn't be more proud of a troop that goes through industry standard training, takes those skills, seasons them with a can-do attitude and repairs assets that are critical to the B-2 mission," Colonel Kmon said. "Her enthusiasm, her professionalism and her ability to turn knowledge into results is the gold standard for all of us."