Whiteman Spirit Award Published Aug. 13, 2007 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Jim Howard, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, received the Whiteman Spirit Award from Col. John Robinson, 509th Bomb Wing vice commander, Aug. 13. Senior Master Sgt. James Askren, Detachment 6, 372nd Training Squadron, nominated Mr. Howard for the award. During the first week of June, Detachment 6's facility air-conditioning system failed, putting the $32-million training suites at risk of over-heating, and potential catastrophic software and hardware damage. "As the sole B-2 training facility in the Air Force, it is imperative that we are fully 100 percent operational at all times," Sergeant Askren said. "As an associate unit based out of Sheppard Air Force Base, our unit is responsible for instructing 45 separate courses with an annual average of 600 student Airmen a year from the 509th Bomb Wing." Mr. Howard responded and isolated a defective compressor on the air-conditioning unit, and then devised a plan to get the unit back up to continue cooling the facility without any break or delay in training, Sergeant Askren said. "Mr. Howard secured leadership support by assuring them the current compressor met cooling needs until a new system could be received two weeks later," Sergeant Askren said. "Mr. Howard's insight saved the detachment and Air Education and Training Command five days of lost training, and prevented cancellation of 12 separate maintenance courses." Two weeks later, Mr. Howard led the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning team in the replacement of the air-conditioning system with a new $54,000 unit in less than a day, once again ensuring uninterrupted service or delays. "Mr. Howard optimizes the core value 'service before self,' and brings astounding success to everything he is involved with," Sergeant Askren added. "He has changed my understanding of the 'CES' in the Civil Engineering Squadron to also mean 'Customers' Exceptional Service.'" Go-by name: Jim Duty Title: HVAC/R technician Time on Station: 16 years Time in Service: 34 years Hometown: Leeton, Mo. Spouse: Liz Children: Stephanie, 19 and Andrew, 14 Hobbies: Camping, fishing, working on old trucks, sightseeing and spending time with my family. Goals: Retire in 6 years, and do a lot of traveling with Liz in our RV Best thing about Whiteman: Like anyplace else, it's the people that will make or break a place. People here are friendly and very country, which I like. Pet Peeves: People that think the government owes them something. What motivates your winning spirit? I treat people the way I want to be treated. When I go home at the end of my work-day, I feel I have accomplished something. You have to learn something every day of your life.