Travis maintainers win 2006 Air Force Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award

Published March 7, 2007
By 1st Lt Lindsey Hahn
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Travis received exciting news when they were notified that two of the seven 2006 Air Force Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award winners were from here.

Capt. Timothy Smith, 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer and Mr. Robert Gentili, 60th AMXS Aircraft Pneudraulic Systems mechanic, won the prestigious award.

The Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award is presented to maintainers who have demonstrated the highest degree of sustained job performance, job knowledge, job efficiency and results in the categories of aircraft, munitions/missile and communications-electronics maintenance.

Captain Smith won the award for the aircraft maintenance category.

"It truly amazes me the things that my Airmen accomplish, it feels like I am surrounded by greatness through the Reserve brethren to our youngest Airmen," Captain Smith said. "The award is only possible through their actions and this award is a direct reflection of what they do."

During 2006, Captain Smith was selected for the prestigious Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School and deployed in support of the area of responsibility's air refueling operation where he supplied 20 percent of the AOR's fuel. In his spare time he is a basketball coach at Vacaville Christian School and is currently working toward his Seminary Theological master's degree.

"Captain Smith epitomizes all that is great about our Air Force family," said Maj. Craig Juneau, 660th AMXS commander. "He is both a leader and role model to all Airmen as well as a pillar in the local community. He truly deserves the recognition as the Air Forces top maintainer."

Mr. Gentili personally saved more than 15 Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom missions by using his maintenance wizardry to fix aircraft usually with aircrew, cargo and deploying members on board. His actions resulted in successfully airlifting 388 passengers and 370 cargo tons of relief to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Additionally, Mr. Gentilli's knowledge of the complex C-5C door system enabled testing of a newly designed NASA space container module. This successful test execution paved the way for future NASA space exploration forging a Travis alliance with NASA.

"Bob Gentilli is a shining example of the Air Force core value -- service before self," said Lt. Col. Mark Weber, 60th AMXS commander. "He is the perfect example of our partnership with the civil service. He was always willing to go the extra mile whether on the job or mentoring our young workforce and he did so with a smile. He lives by the motto 'attitude is everything.' He came to work motivated, prepared and exuded a can-do personality day in and day out ... he will be greatly missed!"

The recognition helps Mr. Gentilli end his career on a high note. He is retiring March 9 after 38 years of service, including 29 years of active and Reserve military service.

"This was quite a surprise for me and I accept this on behalf on my entire team of maintainers because we achieve everything together," Mr. Gentilli said. "I feel great about retiring and looking forward to what the Lord has for me in the future."