A Misawa Air Base staff sergeant’s good idea has earned him $10,000, according to an Air Force news release.

Staff Sgt. Jerome Latham earned the award for suggesting a change that the release said will be implemented throughout the Air Force and save millions of dollars.

Latham, an engine craftsman with the 35th Maintenance Squadron at Misawa, thought that flaps on a jet engine exhaust nozzle were being replaced too often, given the minimal wear he found on them. He began working with the engine manufacturer and received permission to increase usage of the nozzle, according to the release.

When Latham did the math, he realized his idea saved Misawa about $256,000 annually.

He submitted the suggestion to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program, an incentive program that takes ideas to streamline processes or increase productivity and efficiency, according to the release.

“There was a lot of paperwork that needed to be submitted, but I knew I had the evidence,” Latham said. “It was a long process but it paid off in the end.”

He suggestion was implemented across the Air Force and Latham was awarded $10,000.

“It was just a simple change. Lesson learned — keep your eyes open, save the Air Force money and improve your job by doing it more efficiently,” he said.