SSgt Alicia Bollie Tuskeegee Airman of the Week: Nov. 29 to Dec. 5

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
12/11/2009 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Alicia Bollie of the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2009.

"Sergeant Bollie has done great things here at Balad," said Col. Luke Grossman, 332nd AEW vice commander. "She has done great things on duty, she does her job incredibly well, and her efforts are making JBB a better place."

After congratulating the new winner in front of wing leadership, Colonel Grossman presented Sergeant Bollie with the award and a commander's coin at the wing headquarters Dec. 10.

A nondestructive inspection technician, Sergeant Bollie completed three C-130 rainbow-fitting inspections, each under an hour, ensuring the aircraft was fully mission-capable. She also solely identified a cracked F-16 wing attach fitting, which led to a timely fix and kept the aircraft on track.

"I enjoy inspecting all different types of aircraft and knowing that the critical inspections I perform help ensure the safety of our pilots," said Sergeant Bollie. "At home station, I only inspect F-16s, whereas here I inspect all aircraft, including helicopters, on JBB."

Sergeant Bollie, deployed here from the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines, is also active during her off-duty time. She is a frequent volunteer at the Air Force Theater Hospital, where her aid in the quick transportation of casualties contributed to a 98 percent survival rate.

Sergeant Bollie was nominated by her supervisor, Master Sgt. Randal Zimmerman, 332nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight chief.

"Sergeant Bollie has proved to be an outstanding Airman," said Sergeant Zimmerman. "Her positive attitude toward all she does and her attention to detail during her daily nondestructive inspections have not gone unnoticed. She is truly an exemplary Airman."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is open to Airmen between the ranks of E-1 and E-5 and is selected based on an Airman's on- and off-duty accomplishments.