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Scott AFB senior NCO receives Fred Archer Award

  • Published
  • By Hannah Hill
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Jones, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron Superintendent of the Civil Engineer's Operations Flight, was awarded the 2010 Chief Master Sergeant Fred Archer Military Award, July 15 by Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., an organization dedicated to honoring the accomplishments of African American servicemembers.

The Chief Master Sergeant Fred Archer Military Award is named for one of the first African Americans to achieve the highest enlisted grade. In the 35 years Sergeant Archer served, he was nominated three times to serve as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. The award goes to a senior NCO who exhibits outstanding performance in both professional and community service.

"Sergeant Archer was an amazing man during a not-so-amazing time in American history," Sergeant Jones said. "He never allowed anyone to keep him from succeeding. He had the courage to push the envelope even when the cards were stacked against him and to me that's true ambition and sacrifice."

Sergeant Jones earned the award through his constant achievements including saving the Air Force $2 million by converting 85 housing units to temporary lodging facilities; managing 521 military and civilian personnel at Misawa Air Force Base, Japan, while finishing 21,000 jobs worth $13 million and acting as the 375th CES's top enlisted member for six months from October 2009 to April 2010.

"His hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence are unrivaled," said Maj. Matthew Brennan, 375th CES Operation Flight Commander. "After reading the criteria for the Chief Master Sergeant Fred Archer Military Award, I thought Sergeant Jones was the perfect candidate. "

Sergeant Jones is also an avid volunteer in his community. He created a school tutoring course which kept 261 underprivileged youths off the streets. He also tutored 25 Japanese school students in English fundamentals and mentored 47 elementary children on the importance of education.

"I was always taught that it's much better to give than to receive, and if my volunteering helps one person out of a bad situation, then great," said Sergeant Jones.

Sergeant Jones added that he couldn't have succeeded without colleagues and their hard work.

"I have been blessed to work with such a great team; a team of Airmen and civilians who, on a daily basis, put forth a tremendous effort to accomplish the unit's mission. They are the power that keeps the 'train of successful actions' moving down the tracks, and I especially thank them for allowing me to ride on their train."