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NCO promoted far from home

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Holt
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  When Tech. Sgt. Willie Maiden, 379th Air Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems craftsman, was told he had to repair a bad breaker in the Wing operations center, he didn't think twice.

Though the Vallejo, Calif., native knew he had been submitted for the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program, it didn't strike him odd that two of his peers swiped one of his ABU tops from his room.

In fact, he already had his mind on something else.

"I knew I was submitted," said Maiden. "But I already had my mind set on making it by studying extremely hard."

Maiden was directed to an area with a video teleconference, and was surprised to see Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. Larry Malcom, 2 BW command chief, Lt. Col. Douglas Tippet, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron commander, Chief Master Sgt. Freddie Flowers, 2 CES chief enlisted manager, and Master Sgt. Donnel Graham, 2 CES first sergeant.

It was at that moment when Maiden realized he earned his technical sergeant stripe via the STEP program.

"I was overwhelmed with gratitude," said Maiden. "I had some very influential people tell me faith and perseverance will get you through anything. Glory to God I do believe in miracles."

"It was my pleasure to have the honor of promoting Tech. Sgt. Maiden," said Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander. "Willie is currently deployed downrange keeping us safe, and has represented our wing and the Air Force well through his hard work and dedication. I'm proud to have him as part of the Barksdale team. He has distinguished himself as the best-of-the-best among his peers, and this stripe is just a small token of our appreciation."

Maiden says he is more than ready for his new rank.

"It means a lot to me that my squadron submitted me for this," he said. "I look forward to the task knowing I have their support. I am ready to get back and get started."

The husband and father of three achieved many accolades for his on-duty performance, but it was just one of the many factors leading him to this promotion.

"He balances it all - work, family, community, church," said Malcom. "He's a well-rounded individual who obviously stood out among the keen competition vying for promotion because he's unmatched. We are so proud of him and I know there's more to come from our newest technical sergeant."