The Eastern New Mexico News - Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Editor’s note: This feature is the seventh in a series of Air Commando spotlights at Cannon. The Airmen being highlighted are recent Diamond Sharp and Hard Charger Award winners.

link U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Chip Slack

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class John Ward, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group maintenance scheduler, was selected as one of the Diamond Sharp Award winners for the month of May due to his above and beyond work ethic and dedication to his fellow Air Commandos.

By Airman 1st Class Chip Slack

27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

With each and every mission, day-to-day task and overall operation within the Air Force, there are countless Airmen going above and beyond to make sure that planes get off the ground and the job gets done. Each day, those Airmen are tested in their respective career fields. Each day gives them a chance to stand above the rest.

For Airman 1st Class John Ward, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group maintenance scheduler, that day occurs over and over again. Not only was Ward honored with the Diamond Sharp Award for the month of May, but he is constantly applauded for being the epitome of a professional airmen and always having an unyielding passion for his job.

“I love this job,” Ward said with a smile on his face. “I like how I’m progressing in my career. I’m always getting out there, asking if anyone needs help, and just doing what I can to improve both in my career and as an airman.”

Ward, a Stowe, Pennsylvania native, joined the Air Force on Aug. 13, 2013. Since then, he has aspired to follow in the footsteps of his leadership and absorb everything there is to know about his job.

“My immediate supervisors are incredible,” said Ward. “They are extremely knowledgeable and have helped guide me as a new airman. I strive to be like that. I want to know everything about my job because there is a lot that goes into what we do.”

Being a maintenance scheduler for the aircraft at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, is no easy feat. With the threat of grounding the aircraft looming over his head, Ward takes his duties very seriously.

“I come in and check to see if all the maintenance was done the previous day on the planes,” Ward said. “I then schedule the maintenance for the next day and the following week. It is very important that all of the commitments and missions get scheduled correctly so we have airplanes available for the missions.”

Although a new airman, Ward prides himself on always being there for his fellow airmen and staying involved in the local community. Volunteering is incredibly important to the dedicated maintainer.

“I volunteer whenever I get the chance,” said Ward. “I’m always asking if there are volunteer opportunities available because I genuinely enjoy being involved and giving back.”

Despite his newness to military life and Cannon AFB, Ward shares what drives him with his fellow Air Commandos whenever he gets the chance.

“Don’t be scared to ask questions,” Ward said of his personal drive. “Don’t let the fact that you are new intimidate you. Get out there and show everyone you can do it.”