Two Ghost Riders selected for below-the-zone promotion

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Two Airmen from the 71st Operations Support Squadron were the selected for promotion to Senior Airman below-the-zone July 3.

Airman 1st Class Devin Courtney, an aviation resource manager, and Airman 1st Class Cody O'Connell, an air traffic controller, were called to the break room of the Radar Approach Control building.

"When I showed up I just saw all the unit Airmen standing in line, I just stood with them." said Courtney.

Then Col. Darren James, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, entered the building.

"Colonel James walked in, shook everyone's hand, then stopped in front of me and asked if I wanted a promotion," said Courtney, a Honolulu native. "I was shocked, but it felt great. My knees started shaking and my eyes started watering. I didn't even know I was put up for BTZ."

"Airman Courtney is a member of the Silver Talon Honor Guard, proved to be invaluable during the unit compliance inspection, and fills a staff sergeant position," said Master Sgt. Givonnie Jackson, host aviation resource management superintendent for the 71st OSS.

O'Connell, the second Ghost Rider selected for his third stripe, had an experience similar to Courtney's in that he was unaware he was about to earn BTZ.

"It was a nice surprise," said O'Connell, a Newnan, Ga., native. "It's good to know all your hard work actually pays off. I really owe a lot to my supervisor because I couldn't have done it without his support."

"O'Connell finished his training in 57 percent of the time expected, which is remarkable," said Staff Sgt. James Gully, O'Connell's supervisor and fellow air traffic controller. "His work exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding controller."

Courtney plans to make a career out of the Air Force.

"I'm going to make chief one day," said Courtney. "My job is rewarding and since I plan on staying in I might was well take advantage of all opportunities."

O'Connell is more reserved in his decision making when it comes to his commitment to the Air Force.

"It depends on where life takes me," said O'Connell. "It would be easy to say yes or easy to say no but there are a lot of variables between now and my six-year mark. I love being an air traffic controller. It's the greatest job in the Air Force."

Eleven Vance Airmen were eligible for below the zone promotions this time around.