MOD employee wins Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephanie Mancha
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  A 48th Logistic Readiness Squadron training and validations certifier, was recently announced as the 2012 Air Force Transportation Civilian Technician of the Year.

David Cummings, originally from Bury St. Edmunds, distinguished himself by providing outstanding support and training to three Royal Air Force bases and NATO operations, as well as certifying a unit of 50 personnel.

He has been an employee with the Ministry of Defence for 33 years and has worked at RAF Lakenheath for the past three years.

"Mr. Cummings is the greatest trainer ever," said Airman 1st Class Dante Armijo, 48th LRS vehicle operator apprentice, "He has a lot of patience and takes the time to teach us. I am much more comfortable driving now that he's my trainer."

Cummings is the squadron's lead vehicle trainer. He monitors the unit training records, is in charge of the upgrade training program and has dedicated more than 260 hours in training and certifying personnel. He has also trained 25 Liberty Airmen on various vehicles.

"It can be scary for the Airmen that come here to drive on these roads. They are not used to driving manual trailers on small roads or taking the roundabouts," said Cummings.

Cummings is also a Sergeant in the Territorial British Army and has deployed to Afghanistan in support of NATO operations.

While deployed, he led vehicle convoys and ensured the safety of 50 vehicles and 95 personnel; he also transported 25,000 short tons of cargo for four forward operating bases in support of 90,000 NATO personnel and performed 800 hours of on-the-wire security for NATO forces, protecting them from insurgent attacks.

"Cummings does an amazing job," said British Army Maj. Dave McGee, 6th Regiment Army Air corps training officer. "He's my subject matter expert; he coordinates driver training for our reserve soldiers and makes them into light goods vehicle drivers."

Additionally, Cummings has provided support for 71 Liberty Wing F-15s and five HH-60G Pave Hawks, supervised 64 distinguished visitors' transportations and saved the Air Force more than $2 million in contracted cost and transportation fees.

"I wasn't expecting to win, but it's a great achievement," said Cummings. "It's nice to be recognized for the work I do here at the shop."