Pride of the Pack: Tech. Sgt Richard Barrett

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Tech. Sgt. Richard Barrett from the 8th Maintenance Squadron was selected as the 8th Fighter Wing's Pride of the Pack for the week of June 18. 
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 Sergeant Barrett's highlights: 

Rank and full name: Tech. Sgt. Richard L. Barrett
Unit: 8th Maintenance Squadron
Duty Title: NCOIC, Test Cell
What is your job in a nutshell: Uninstalled engine run certifier, test cell/hush house building custodian
Hometown: Martinsville, IN
Previous Base: McChord AFB, Wash. 
Follow-on: Spangdahlem AB, Germany
Hobbies: Currently, practicing Korean swordsmanship in Gunsan City. He likes anything to do with his '94 Corvette. 
Favorite music: various non-lyrical instrumental
Best thing you've done here: Maintain a positive American influence everywhere he goes on the peninsula. He said the impressions left will last a lifetime and will further strengthen international understanding and tolerences. 

Letter from his commander: 
I would like to recommend TSgt Richard Barrett from 8th Maintenance Squadron for the Pride of the Pack Award. TSgt Barrett has made a positive impact throughout the wing and community from the moment he arrived at Kunsan Air Base in November 2006. As the noncommissioned officer in charge of engine test cell he supervised five Aerospace Propulsion Technicians performing operational test/evaluation, intermediate maintenance, phase and special inspections on 51 assigned F110-GE-100 engines worth over 221 million dollars. His keen management, processing and reporting of key engine maintenance data/actions into the Core Automated Maintenance System ensured key decision makers at 8 FW, 7 AF and PACAF are kept abreast of 8 FW's critical engine test related issues. 

TSgt Richard Barrett is also responsible for coordinating and managing the Propulsion Flight's installed engine Hush House maintenance support for 35th and the 80th Aircraft Maintenance Unit's 41 F-16C/D aircraft valued in excess of one billion dollars. TSgt Barrett cemented joint peninsula readiness when he spearheaded engine operational checkout of four F-16s from the Republic of Korea Air Force. He also drove hush house support for four 8 FW aircraft garnering the Maintenance Group an unprecedented 82.9 percent 8 hour fix rate,
5 percent above command standard; critical to the 379 flight hours and 310 sorties flown during the April 2007 Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection. His engine repair expertise was crucial to the 8th Maintenance Group's overall "Excellent" rating. 

As the engine test cell subject matter expert, TSgt Barrett was handpicked to travel to
Osan Air Base to perform uninstalled engine test and evaluation on eight F110-GE-100 engines. His leadership and management filled a critical maintenance gap during the two million dollar hush house renovation project. He averted over 80 thousand dollars in shipping cost to have engines sent to Misawa Air Base for operational checkout. His attention to detail expedited the training and certification of two 51 MXS and six 8 MXS personnel. His efforts were instrumental to the successful repair of all engines transported to Osan Air Base, increasing the wing's engine spare levels to six, two above PACAF's War Readiness Equipment level. 

TSgt Barrett's outstanding leadership and key management oversight exemplify the best of the Wolf Pack and is deserving of this recognition. Please consider him for the Pride of the Pack Award.