AETC Annual Airfield Operations Awards Winners

  • Published
  • By Ensign Rex Miller
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Three members of Team Vance were honored in the Air Education and Training Command Airfield Operations Awards for 2009.

Capt. Joshua Leete, commander of the Airfield Operations Flight, received the Col. Derrel L. Dempsey Officer of the Year award.

Master Sgt. James Mull, with the 71st Operations Support Squadron air traffic control tower, was named Air Traffic Control Enlisted Manager of the Year.

Senior Airman Brandon Reyes, with the 71st Operations Support Squadron radar approach control won Air Traffic Controller of the Year.

The Airfield Operations Flight's responsibilities extend far beyond Vance AFB. As the controlling agency for the surrounding airspace that the base's aircraft use, the flight is responsible for 12,000 square miles of airspace. Overseeing these operations is a job for which Captain Leete is uniquely qualified.

As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the captain was involved in operations that consolidated combat assets from forward operating bases to Ali Base in Tallil, Iraq. "What that meant for me was I was called upon as the lead for nearly a quarter billion dollars in airfield construction as well as a 300 percent operations increase," said Captain Leete.

The air traffic controllers at Vance "take what can resemble a hornets' nest of aircraft and massage it into a flawless three dimensional sequence of events," said Captain Leete. According to the captain, this high stress job is one they do quietly, humbly and without any expectation of special praise or attention. It makes sense then that hearing that two of his team members had been recognized with awards was what made Captain Leete proudest. "When I heard Sergeant Mull and Airman Reyes had won, that's when I got excited," said the captain.

Sergeant Mull is the chief controller at the Vance AFB control tower. Part of his job is overseeing the training of new air traffic controllers, forcing him to strike a balance between the mission and growing young Airmen.

"Probably one of the biggest challenges at Vance is battling the lack of experience," said Sergeant Mull. "We are 80 percent manned with senior airmen and below, so we are thin on senior leadership."

Training controllers at one of the busiest airfields in the Air Force, where the pilots themselves are in training, is a substantial challenge as well. "You are always on your toes, because this is a dangerous business," said the sergeant. "There is always someone looking over everyone's shoulder."

Sergeant Mull was quick to say that this award would not have happened without the hard work and dedication of the other controllers. "This award equates to the Heisman in our career field," said Sergeant Mull.

Airman Reyes, in his nomination for air traffic controller of the year, was cited as the top controller at Vance. He is the first choice in his Flight to instruct and monitor trainees during peak flying hours. Airman Reyes' AETC win came from seamless execution of high tempo operations both here at Vance and on deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Airman Reyes was recently selected for staff sergeant on his first attempt and is currently attending Airman Leadership School at Altus AFB, Okla.

The award winners will now go on to compete in Air Force level awards.