Outstanding Airman recognized statewide

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Roth
  • 115FW/PA
Madison, Wis. --  An Air National Guard member from the 115th Fighter Wing, Madison, Wis., was selected as the 2013 Outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Airman of the Year at the state level and is in competition for national recognition as the 2013 ANG Outstanding Airman of the Year for the whole Guard.

Master Sgt. Christian Schweitzer, the fuels information service center chief, was recognized for his service with this award, and his co-workers did not spare praise for his accomplishment.

"Christian is a rock-solid reliable guy," said Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Gardner, the former fuels management flight superintendant and currently the materials management flight superintendant.

Of Schweitzer's many accomplishments, one sticks out as extraordinary.

Schweitzer led a team that repaired an autotank gauging critical system error, saving taxpayers an estimated $429,000 in fuel costs. In addition, Schweitzer stays very active in the 115th FW as a fitness monitor, instructor for the State Enlisted Leadership course (Ethics) and is active in the Top Three Council.

"Christian is a great mentor in our work center and shares his knowledge whenever possible, creating a very positive learning environment," said Senior Master Sgt. Brian Carroll, the fuels management flight superintendant. "All supervisors should be lucky enough to have an Airman like Christian."

Schweitzer understands that his achievement is not just about his efforts.

"Every single line of my accomplishments I could not do by myself and required the support of my co-workers and supervisors," said Schweitzer. "I didn't expect to even be nominated and to win is surreal."

Sergeant Schweitzer joined the Air Force in 2002 and has been a Guard member since 2005, serving at the 183rd Fuels Flight in Springfield, Ill., before accepting his technician position as a fuels craftsman here in 2009.

The 115th FW consistently goes above and beyond, and Sergeant Schweitzer represents what we are all about," said Gardner.