Air traffic controller named April Airman of the Month Published May 21, 2013 By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Airman 1st Class Michael Butler, an air traffic controller with the 71st Operations Support Squadron, learned he was the 71st Flying Training Wing Airman of the Month for April when Col. Darren James, the 71st FTW commander, informed him in person, April 23. Each month Airmen are selected to represent their squadrons as Airman of the Month. They face a board consisting of the previous month's Airman of the Month, a junior NCO, a senior NCO and a chief master sergeant. The candidates are questioned on current events and military related areas while being judged on military bearing and personal dress and appearance. This was Butler's third time going before the board and his first time selected. "After I met with the board I felt like I did well," said Butler. "But, I was still surprised when my commander told me I won. It was exciting." As an air traffic controller in Radar Approach Control, Butler talks to student pilots via radio to keep them separated from other aircraft during their flying training missions. Butler said he enjoys his job as an air traffic controller but is currently in college and hopes to be a radiologist for the Air Force.