EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – An Arkansas National Guard Airman made history by becoming the first to graduate with a perfect score on the Apprentice Electronic Signals Intelligence Analyst Course.
Airman 1st Class Ty Bishop, an Arkansas National Guard 123rd Intelligence Squadron Signals Intelligence analyst serving in the 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, or ISRG, graduated July 10 with a score of 100% from the 1N2X1 technical training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas.
Upon graduating, Bishop was awarded the Top Graduate honors and was recognized by Lt. Col. Bryanna McQueen, the 316th Training Squadron commander, with the Air Education and Training Command Commander’s Award and a coin for completing the course with a history-breaking 100% average score.
“As one of the most technically complex and challenging courses in the Department of War, getting a 100% on the curriculum is highly commendable, requiring a mastery of the subject matter through dedicated focus and an exceptionally keen attention to detail,” said Capt. Dennis Tyukayev, the flight commander at the 316th Training Squadron. "A1C Bishop did an extraordinary job in focusing on all aspects of the curriculum.”
Classroom sizes in the course are small, with active component, Reserve and Guard members training together. During the three-month course, students learn how to extract, analyze and identify specific information and communications from electromagnetic emissions.
“My tech school experience was incredibly positive,” Bishop said. “The cooperative environment with my peers was crucial. Leading reviews and teaching course material to my classmates is what truly cemented those concepts in my memory.”
After graduation, Bishop returned to Ebbing to complete his Mission Essential Training and begin applying his newly developed skills to the 188th ISRG mission.
“A1C Bishop’s work ethic and attention to detail are truly outstanding,” said Col. Paul Needham, the 188th ISRG commander. “He truly sets the standard. What really blows me away is that he just graduated 1N2X1 technical school with 100%, something that’s never been done before. That kind of drive doesn’t just reflect on him; it reflects the excellence we all strive for across the entire 188th ISRG. I am very proud of him.”