SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – When people think of military aces, they often think of aviators who scored numerous aerial victories in combat.
While the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard AFB might not be producing fighter pilots, the largest technical training wing in the Air Force is producing highly qualified aircraft maintainers and other specialties. That includes Burrillville, Rhode Island-native Airman 1st Class Taylor Cook, who aced the 364th Training Squadron’s aircraft electrical and environmental systems apprentice course recently.
The E&E course spans 11 blocks of training over a roughly five-month period and covers troubleshooting, inspecting, removal and installation procedures, repairs and modifications and more of the varying electrical and environmental systems of an aircraft. Those systems include gas turbine compressors and auxiliary power units; landing gear, anti-skid, and nose wheel steering; electronic engine control, ignition, and starting; lighting; master caution and warning; take-off warning; flight control; cargo door and cargo delivery equipment; anti-icing; fire and overheat warning; fire extinguishing and suppression; fuel control; liquid cooling; air conditioning, bleed air, cabin pressurization and more.
Rank and name: Airman 1st Class Taylor C. Cook
Unit: 143rd Airlift Wing, Quonset State Airport, Rhode Island
Duty title: Electrical and environmental specialist
Hometown: Burrillville, Rhode Island
Time in Service: 2 years
Why you joined the Air Force: For my family’s future and to serve my country.
Family: Wife, Rayna; daughter, Mila; step-daughter, Olivia Calvin
Hobbies: Sports, movies, camping, woodworking, home improvement
Favorite aspect of job: Being hands on and knowing what a key part I play in making the mission happen.
Most memorable Air Force experience: When I was award Honor Graduate from basic military training and when my wife and daughter tapped me out at the BMT coin ceremony.
How do you make responsible choices: As a parent and a family man, making responsible choices is an everyday task. So, I always make the best choice, no matter how insignificant it might be. I have too many people depending on me.
Instructor comment:
“The ACE award is extremely difficult to attain. Airmen attending the electrical and environmental technical training course must score perfectly on 11 block tests. When some blocks can stretch over a three-week period, and overall the course is around five months to accomplish, being an ACE is a testament to Airman Cook’s ‘buckle down and get it done’ work ethic. His leadership abilities are by far the best I have encountered during my time at Sheppard AFB. As the class leader, he not only set the example for his classmates, he elevated them to success as well, just as any good leader would do – not just bring himself to the top, but bringing the entire team with them. Airman 1st Class Taylor Cook exemplifies all aspects of the Whole Airman concept and will undoubtedly have an everlasting impact on the Airmen around him and the Air Force.” – Tech. Sgt. Ryan Elliott, 364th Training Squadron E&E course instructor