Local national employee wins top-honor civil engineer award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) --  The phrase ‘Spangdahlem 2015’ sounds like a futuristic sci-fi movie, but to Udo Stuermer, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron engineering flight chief, it is the here and now.

Mr. Stuermer’s work on the ‘here and now’ culminated in his recent win of the Harry P. Rietman award, an Air Force civil engineer outstanding individual award for his work with the 52nd Fighter Wing last year.

‘Spangdahlem 2015’ is a $163 million, 10-year, 65-building plan that will allow for the final closing of the Bitburg Annex and will consolidate all mission and support functions, as well as family housing at Spangdahlem Air Base.

“I won this award five years ago, and I didn’t expect to win again,” Mr. Stuermer said. “I must have accomplished a lot and it makes me proud.”

His accomplishments include the ongoing ‘Spangdahlem 2015’ project, and his role as a key player in the $170 million Rhein-Main Transition Program, ensuring the Air Mobility Command mission here was fully operational on time.

“I do what I can to make this installation the best it can be so the Air Force doesn’t give up on [our mission] here,” Mr. Stuermer said. “Each project is making a difference to the base and it’s great to see the smiling faces of the people who walk into their newly renovated building or pass through the new main gate. It’s a great feeling.”

Known as the ‘go-to guy’ in civil engineering, he is an inspiration to his team and members of his flight.

“I hope to one day earn a fraction of his legendary status sometime in my career,” said Chuck Cyr, 52nd CES community planner. “He embodies all aspects of the professional engineer from his knowledge of engineering policies and practices to his superb leadership. It’s great to see that his hard work and dedication is not only recognized at Spangdahlem, but at the highest levels of the Air Force’s civil engineering community as well.”

Respected in his profession by his peers, and recognized in his community, Mr. Stuermer says he sells the future of the installation to the people living off base. He is up front with the community and keeps them in the loop on where the base is and where it is going.

“[He] is continually called upon by the wing leadership to help provide crucial information about wing plans and programs to our German neighbors,” said Lt. Col. Mitch Gordon, 52nd CES commander. “In doing so, he significantly strengthened our partnership with outlying communities, gaining support and good will. He is also extremely talented and technically gifted, and his ability to solve a bewildering array of challenging problems is truly inspirational.”

Mr. Stuermer began working for the Air Force in 1982 at Bitburg Air Base, Germany, until its closure in 1994 when he transferred to Spangdahlem. He travels to the Pentagon to receive the Harry P. Rietman award at the end of February.