- I'm Technical Sergeant, Bartek Bachleda.
I'm a Boom Operator Instructor at Altus Air Force Base
on Case 135.
Thirteen months ago,
^our former Wing Commander, Colonel Kravitz came down
^asking if there's any issues going on in the 54th.
And of the things that came up,
was talking about back and neck issues.
Because the current cushion,
and the current boom pod design,
Colonel Kravitz asked,
"Well, what are you guys doing about this issue?"
And the answer was, "Nothing."
But I went out
and try to figure out what we can improve.
And I initially started with
figuring out a different panel that we can design
to create like a little chin rest area.
Went from there to recreating the cushion.
Went from there to totally recreating the cushion.
Not only having a two inch cushion going across like
three-quarters of the length,
but essentially lifting the position of the back
and the hips for the instructor.
What you see here before you
represents 13 months of perseverance
between five agencies.
Between maintenance and air crew,
between hospital,
and people that make panels,
and ordering parts,
there's been so many bumps in the road that,
at any time,
I could have quit.
You know?
Like, I'm tired of this,
I can't do everything at once.
But I didn't.
And I kept going,
and this is where we're at.
It is up to every individual in the Air Force,
if they have an innovative idea,
for them to be heard.
So, two things could happen,
either they're heard and people help them,
their leadership helps them,
or they're heard and shut down.
So it should be up to every commander
and supervisor to nurture that environment.
Because every single person in the Air Force
has an idea that could save thousands,
of millions of dollars,
or perhaps change the quality of life
for the next generation.
So for those that do have those ideas,
don't give up.
Do not give up.
(air turbulence)