Idea earns sergeant $10,000

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jamie Humphries
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) --  An noncommissioned officer assigned to the 4th Component Maintenance Squadron here earned $10,000 through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.

Tech Sgt. Scott Weimann used the IDEA program to propose a new method for replacing damaged electrical connectors on the F-15E Strike Eagle’s amplifier assembly that will save the Air Force more than $63,972.90 per connector.

The assembly is a device used to increase the radio frequency power of the aircraft's electronic warfare jamming signals.

Instead of using the old method where damaged connectors were sent to the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga., for repair, Sergeant Weimann suggested the parts could be replaced locally for about $35 using the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program.

According to Sergeant Weimann, the old method of replacing damaged connectors could take up to two months, but the new procedure means the part can be repaired within a week.

The new process for replacing damaged connectors is in place and has already saved the Air Force about $250,000, he said.

"My initial goal was to get the connectors replaced as quickly as possible in order to keep the jets flying," said Sergeant Weimann. "I wasn't even thinking about the possibility of receiving any money; I was just concerned about the mission." (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)