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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Airman receives Niagara Awards

  • Published
  • By Peter Borys
  • 914th Airlift Wing public affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Whoever you are and wherever you fit on the Air Force team, the Core Values are what you will live by and learn to cherish.

The Core Values are much more than minimum standards. They remind us what it takes to get the mission done. They inspire us to do our very best at all times.

One such individual who exhibits those values was recently recognized for all those qualities and more while battling a serious illness. Tech. Sgt. Jacob Teufel, 914th Maintenance Squadron hydraulics technician is this year's recipient of the Joint 914th/107th Airlift Wing Maintenance Excellence Trophy. This joint award is normally awarded to two recipients, one from each wing. This is the first year a sole recipient was chosen.

"It's really an honor to be selected among so many people who were deserving. I tried to do my best to uphold to the standards of this award. It's a huge honor to be named the first single recipient especially by my colleagues, chiefs, colonel and the Air Guard for their selection," said Teufel.

Superintendents from both the 107th and 914th gather the nominees and conduct a board where they choose a recipient from the 914th and the 107th, but this year according to Lt. Col. Kelvin McElroy, 914th Maintenance Group commander senior leadership came together and it was decided by the entire group that Tech Sgt. Teufel would be the nominee this year.

"It should have been two recipients, but Jake embodies the spirit of the award, teamwork, trust, commitment, and professionalism," said McElroy. "To achieve that spirit you have to have enthusiasm and through Jake's trials and tribulations every time we've seen him he's always been enthusiastic, upbeat and encouraging. We decided to make him the first sole recipient."

107th Airlift Wing senior level management echoed that sentiment. "The selection of Tech. Sgt. Jacob Teufel was unanimous by all throughout the 107th Maintenance Group," said Lt. Col. Kevin Rogers, 107th Deputy Maintenance Group commander. "Jake's positive attitude and dedication to the mission of "Team Niagara Maintenance" is second to none. He fully embodies the spirit of the award and exemplifies all the positive attributes that future winners will be measured against. Simply put, Jake is an outstanding maintainer and above all, a great person."

Teufel was also presented with the Sharp Airman Award. Presented to an individual who demonstrates exemplary standards, appearance and professionalism on a continuous basis.

"He is really a shining example of sprit and body of what this association (914AW/107AW) has become," said McElroy. "We've become a closer team and a closer family through the last 2 ½ years of growth and this is an honor to be able to give him these awards."

Teufel has been fighting cancer for the past few years and was medically cleared earlier this year for deployment with the unit, but his deployment had to be cut short due to the cancer unexpectedly progressing. Sgt. Teufel continues to battle his illness.