Repair and reclamation journeyman epitomizes 'excellence in all we do' Published Oct. 27, 2011 ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Name and Rank: Senior Airman Matthew Bieniek Unit: 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Unit Commander: Maj. Anthony Deguchi Duty Title: Repair and reclamation journeyman Time in Service: 3 years, 5 months Time at Lakenheath: 10 months Hometown: St. Cloud, Minn. Hobbies: Going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with family Core Value Portrayed: "Excellence in all we do" How does the individual portray that core value? Bieniek has proved his dedication to the team by always being the first person to volunteer for any job or deployment. He has been a pivotal crash team member, assisting in more than 75 In-Flight and Ground Emergencies ensuring zero aircraft delays/diversions. He also assisted in training 30 personnel on F-15 emergency response procedures and took the initiative to learn the process of writing and submitting Electronic Technical Assistance Requests for depot-level F-15 landing gear repairs. He fostered leadership and teamwork as a section physical training leader helping the section achieve a 99 percent pass rate and volunteered 16 hours to Airmen Against Drunk Driving, providing seven rides and saving more than 17 careers and lives. Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? Serving my country is one of the highest honors I can think of. I am extremely proud to help better my nation to make the world a safer place. What accomplishment during your Air Force career are you most proud of? Being selected to work for the best crash recovery shop in the Air Force and getting a line number for Staff Sergeant. What are your personal and/or professional goals? To be the best aircraft mechanic I can be and to help train the younger Airmen to be better mechanics. My personal goal is to continue to finish my degree. What is your favorite part of your job? To watch an F-15 take off after I have prepared the flight controls.