‘Lik’ instructor honored for molding future NCOs Published Jan. 5, 2007 By Senior Airman Tim Beckham 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Another Team Incirlik member has done it again as the awards keep rolling in. One of the most recent being the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airman Leadership School Instructor of the Year, which was awarded to Staff Sgt. Alexandra Melenciano, an ALS instructor at the schoolhouse here. "I was extremely surprised and honored," she said of winning. When not instructing ALS students the Miami native, is a dental assistant, but said she has really enjoyed being an instructor the past 19 months. "I enjoy the opportunity to meet and learn from a different group of people every six weeks and help them achieve their goals," she said. Sergeant Melenciano, or Sergeant Mel as most of her students call her, said she just takes pleasure in molding future NCOs. "I like being able to assist them in getting to the next level in their careers and their lives; whether they decide to stay in or not," said the former Marine. "NCOs are so important, not only to the mission here, but to the overall Air Force mission," said Col. "Tip" Stinnette, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "So it's great to know that our future staff sergeants are receiving top-notch training from Sergeant Melenciano and the other ALS instructors here."