916th sergeant wins Marquez Award Published March 25, 2013 By Maj. Erin Karl 916th Public Affairs Office SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Master Sgt. Jimmy L. Tart, a specialist flight chief with the 916th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was recently awarded the 2012 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award for Air Force Reserve Command. The award recognizes excellence in technical maintenance. "I was quite surprised," said Tart, when he heard of his win. He had no idea he'd been nominated until the award was announced at a staff meeting. Tart's supervisor, Chief Master Sgt. Adrian Darby was responsible for his nomination. "He's a quality senior NCO with exceptional leadership abilities," said Darby. "I fully anticipate he will be a top leader of the next generation of young Airmen." Tart is an air reserve technician and oversees the electronics, hydraulics, communication and navigation, guidance and control, and propulsion sections of the squadron. He's been with the 916th since he entered the Air Force Reserve in 1992. According to his awards package, Taft excelled as the acting squadron superintendent for more than 90 days, during which they had zero safety violations and a 92 percent quality assurance rate.