McConnell Airman wins AF Spark Tank competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenna Caldwell
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Master Sgt. Bartek Bachleda, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Plans and Programs superintendent, won the Air Force’s first Spark Tank competition Feb. 22, held at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

The Spark Tank competition is an initiative designed to encourage Airmen of all ranks and careers to generate innovative ideas that could save the Air Force time and money.

“I didn’t come here to win,” said Bachleda. “I wanted senior leadership to see this problem in front of them and explain to them that we can save the Air Force all this money.”

The proposed innovation aims to both reduce back and neck injuries and is projected to save the Air Force $132 million each year.

His idea was chosen out of a pool of six finalists by Air Force senior leaders and industry partners, and he will receive funding to move forward with his innovation.

“Every idea out there was amazing, it doesn’t matter what rank you are it’s innovation,” said Bachleda. “If you see a problem, don’t just complain about it; try to solve it. Figuring out the problem is number one: do the research, do the measurements, conduct tests and start talking to people with experience to come up with the best solution.”