Pride of the Pack: Senior Airman Argelio Chappotin

  • Published
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Senior Airman Argelio Chappotin from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron was selected as the 8th Fighter Wing's Pride of the Pack for the week of Feb. 11. Each week, the 8th Fighter Wing commander recognizes one member of the Wolf Pack by awarding them with a Pride of the Pack certificate for their stellar commitment to excellence and superior mission accomplishment. Here is a letter from Airman Chappotin's commander explaining his achievements.

Letter from the commander: 
I recommend Senior Airman Argelio Chappotin, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, for the "Pride of the Pack" Award. Airman Chappotin is extremely dedicated personally and professionally. He provides outstanding customer service to 150 Civil Engineer craftsmen as a Material Control Journeyman. He manages 1,200 line items to maintain 1,070 facilities and 4.5 billion dollars in infrastructure. 

Airman Chappotin worked doggedly to purchase 1.8 million dollars in end-of-year funds. His direct efforts were vital to replenish 615 line items for nine CE shops. He was also instrumental to update CE's 7.5 million dollar snow vehicle fleet, purchasing 105,000 dollars in state of the art snow plows and chemical spreaders. This equipment proved invaluable during the end-of-year snow storm which dumped 20 inches of snow in just three days. As a result of Airman Chappotin's prior planning, a total of zero sorties were lost. In addition, Airman Chappotin's ability as a master logistician was noted during a power outage affecting the Benjo Heights dormitories. During a Korean National holiday, he was able to purchase 10,000 dollars in electrical parts within 12 hours, averting long term use of vital emergency generators and assuring a swift repair for the squadron commanders' quarters. 

Airman Chappotin is multi-faceted. He championed the base Self Help Store by managing 88,000 dollars in issue items, improving the quality of life for 3,100 personnel. He personally inventoried and issued 50,000 dollars in Self-Help customer support tools, catapulting the completion of 202 work orders. Additionally, Airman Chappotin supervised 8.9 million dollars of War Readiness Materials, closely tracking and monitoring maintenance of CE's wartime equipment items. This equipment is critical to CE's 60-person airfield damage repair team who ensure the proper maintenance of 21 FOD covers, 18 reverse osmosis water purification units, a 10,000 foot emergency lighting kit for the runway with markers and a mobile aircraft arresting system. 

Airman Chappotin's professionalism is reflected in his attention to detail as a member of the elite 8 FW Honor Guard team. He was awarded the Honor Guard of the Quarter Award for the third quarter of 2007 and proudly represented the Wolf Pack at General Hester's change of command at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. He has received three letters of appreciation for his outstanding Honor Guard performance during the POW/MIA and wing Veteran's Day Ceremony. Airman Chappotin has given his time after duty hours leading the effort to repaint the hallway for the CE Airmen's dorm and has contributed eight hours to Airmen Assisting Airmen. He also leads the way as CE's intramural basketball coach and participated in CE's flag-football and bowling team. 

I proudly nominate Airman Argelio Chappotin for the "Pride of the Pack" award for all his contributions to the wing and his personal achievements. His outstanding attitude, drive and selflessness have upheld the CE Red Devil's reputation for getting the job done and going above and beyond.