Charleston civilian to represent AMC for Wright Brothers Trophy
The award, established by the National Aeronautic Association, is given annually to a civilian government employee (federal, state or local) for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.
In a written message, AMC commander Gen. Charles T. "Tony" Robertson Jr., states, "Mr. Ruff's hard work, ingenuity and inspiring accomplishments epitomize the traits and character embodied in the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. I wish him the very best in further competition at the NAA."
"I'm very surprised because I didn't know this was coming," said Ruff, who is also a Master Sgt. in the 315th Airlift Wing (Reserve). "But I didn't do this alone. It was a team effort. We all do this together. I'm thankful for everyone who helped along the way."
Ruff is responsible for scheduling, administering, implementing and evaluating training for 178 assigned active duty military, reserve and civilian technicians. He ensured training was completed and properly documented on schedule, guaranteeing availability of a fully qualified work force to perform the mission.
Ruff developed a plan to keep technicians dual-qualified on several mission-critical C-17 and C-141 aircraft maintenance tasks, including engine run, towing and jacking. He realized the potential benefits of having multi-airframe qualifications, and his plan increased the availability of qualified maintenance technicians by 50 percent.
He also established a rotational training program to ensure maintenance flight personnel stay proficient on all heavy-maintenance and backshop tasks. The plan rotated personnel between aero repair, wheel and tire, and inspections sections. His efforts resulted in an increased knowledge base, increased production efficiency and eliminated the "not my job" syndrome, according to his nomination package.
Heeding the call of the squadron commander to fix a training problem, Ruff coordinated a down day for training wheel and tire shop members. The training covered technical data, Air Force instructions and safety standards. Ruff's efforts resulted in a 95 percent pass rate on all wheel and tire shop quality assurance assessments.
The availability of a fully qualified work force enabled the maintenance flight to accomplish more than 120 C-17 aircraft home-station check inspections per year, averaging 2.9 days per inspection, which exceeds AMC standards. The flight also accomplished 12 C-141 aircraft isochronal inspections, averaging 14 days per inspection, also surpassing AMC standards.
The quality training coordinated by Ruff helped the wheel and tire section inspect, repair and build up more than 1,500 C-17 and C-141 tires last year in support of home-station and overseas requirements.
Finally, Ruff facilitated aircraft crash recovery training ensuring a qualified response team for all contingencies. Ultimately, a top-notch training program enabled the maintenance flight to provide quality aircraft to their customers, the C-17 and C-141 aircrews.
Ruff is also dedicated to the morale and welfare of his co-workers in the maintenance flight, his nomination package states. He routinely volunteers to conduct hail and farewell ceremonies in the flight. He also requisitions and prepares awards, plaques and gifts.
He is a member of the 437th Maintenance Squadron Fundraising Committee and helped raise more than $10,000 last year to support the morale and welfare of squadron members.
He is an active member of the community, including the civic club, where he is block captain for the crime watch committee. As a member of the American Legion, Ruff makes weekly trips to the Veterans Administration Hospital to visit sick and disabled veterans. He also works with his church's youth group as a mentor.
"I think he's a great choice," said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew McMahan, chief of the 437th Maintenance Flight. "It's well deserved. He's a people person who goes the extra mile to do things and enhance morale. He's dedicated and takes the initiative. I never have to ask him to do anything because he's always two steps ahead of me."
The Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is presented annually by agreement on or about Dec. 17, the anniversary of the first successful flight of an airplane.
It's given by the president of the National Aeronautic Association at the Aero Club of Washington's Annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet. Past recipients include Charles Lindbergh, Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle and Edwin Colodny. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
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