WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – A 131st Bomb Wing noncommissioned officer recently earned the 2017 Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award for maintenance excellence.
Staff Sgt. James Torrance, 131st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental specialist, was recognized for exceptional leadership in the Air Force maintenance career field in the noncommissioned officer category.
The Leo Marquez Award recognizes Air Force maintenance personnel for outstanding performance in areas like financial efficiency and managerial skills.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for the hard work,” Torrance said. “However, I was only doing my job to keep the B-2s flying.”
Torrance has worked on B-2s for nearly a decade. He was first assigned to the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on active duty, and seamlessly transitioned to the 131st AMXS where he now leads active duty and Guard personnel daily.
As the maintenance shift noncommissioned officer in charge, Torrance trained and supervised both Air National Guard and active duty personnel, signing off on over 2,000 five- and seven-level taskings and drove his team to a 95 percent quality assurance pass rate. Torrance also supervised an eight-member team performing explosive maintenance, removing and replacing 320 fire extinguisher explosives.
“Over the years I have grown to appreciate every aspect of the Whiteman mission,” said Torrance. “Whether I’m training someone from the 131st side of the house or the 509th, my job is to make sure everyone is trained and qualified to keep the mission going.”
“Torrance is the epitome of a fully integrated B-2 maintenance professional,” said Lt. Col. Michael Belardo, 131st AMXS commander. “He's committed to his job as well as the people that he works with, and is the foundation of maintenance expertise in the electrical and environmental shop. It's great news that he's here long term to share his vast knowledge with new waves of active duty members.”
Leo Marquez held high-level positions in the maintenance career field during his service in the Air Force, including as deputy director of maintenance engineering and supply, and deputy chief of staff for logistics and engineering, both at Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Many would say winning at the national level is a great achievement; however, it is not the most important thing to Torrance.
“When it all comes down to it, I don’t have to watch the news to see if our jets were successful; I know as soon as I watch the jet take off they will be,” said Torrance. “I take great pride to know my team made it possible.”