Pride of the Pack: Senior Airman Calvin Cage

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Senior Airman Calvin Cage from the 8th Maintenance Squadron was selected as the 8th Fighter Wing's Pride of the Pack for the week of Aug. 27. 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 are some of Airman Cage's highlights.

Rank and full name: Senior Airman Calvin J. Cage
Unit: 8th Maintenance Squadron
Duty Title: Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory Journeyman
What is your job in a nutshell?: Performs and manages repair, calibration and modification of test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment (TMDE), including precision measurement equipment laboratory (PMEL) standards and automatic test equipment. Supervises the process and use of TMDE to perform voltage, current, power, impedance, frequency, microwave, temperature, physical-dimensional, and optical measurements.
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Previous Base: Holloman AFB, N. M.
Follow-on: Separation
Hobbies: Hack, watching movies, read books and travel
Favorite music: A little of everything to include Rock, Techno and Rap
Last good movie: "Transformers"
Favorite Quote: "Whoa there Fella!"

Letter from his supervisor:
I would like to recommend Senior Airman Calvin Cage from the 8th Maintenance Squadron TMDE flight for the Pride of the Pack Award. Airman Cage's efforts have proven that he is an asset to the wing time and time again. He troubleshot and repaired a complex system malfunction in the 912476-5-1 EPU System Maintenance test set that perplexed several other technicians. He selflessly worked a double-shift to restore the wing's only serviceable unit. His in-depth knowledge restored the wings ability to perform mandatory EPU mono checks on F16's.

Airman Cage was hand picked to calibrate the base's new upgraded jet engine test stand. His tenacious work ethic and attention to detail coupled with an experience level well beyond his rank were the necessary tools needed to get the job done. He worked side by side with the Cell Tech company representative flown in from the United States. Using his experience, maintenance data, and the schematics Airman Cage was able to troubleshoot, adjust, and calibrate the brand new jet engine test stand and restore jet engine testing capability to the 8th FW, eliminating the need to send engines off-base for support.

In addition to his on site accomplishments he has also made various improvements within the work center. He has researched and implemented numerous automated calibrations. These automated calibrations cut calibration time by 50 percent in some cases, making it possible for one person to simultaneously calibrate as many as four items at a time. In addition to this, Airman Cage is also the primary maintainer of laboratory and base high vacuum standards. These tasks are usually reserved for 7- level technicians.

Airman Cage embodies the Wolf Pack spirit and is deserving of this recognition. He truly knows that there is no I in team. He is a shining example for young Airmen to follow.