Vance command post recognized in AETC 2008 Command and Control award program

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Vance's command post earned two places in the spotlight in Air Education and Training Command's Command and Control Award program for 2008. Master Sgt. Robert English was named AETC Command Post Unit-Level Senior NCO of the year, and the Vance Command Post itself won AETC Small Unit Command Post of the Year. 

Sergeant English is the superintendent of command and control. He leads a 62 member Defensive Readiness Reporting System team that assesses 22 units and 22 critical mission areas. 

"He goes out of his way to help people, and sets the standard for what a command post representative should act like," said Airman 1st Class John Haynes, command post emergency actions controller. 

The mission is not Sergeant English's only concern. He has also taken the time to get to know his people and their families. 

"Sergeant English epitomizes service before self, at the same time he does genuinely care about you as an individual and your family. He knows everyone-- even the kids--and always asks how they're doing by name. That's a lot to keep track of!" said Tech. Sgt. Antonio Smith, command post training manager. 

"Sergeant English has made tremendous progress with the command post," said Lt. Col David Ruffin, director of staff at Vance. "Not only has he brought the 71st Flying Training Wing to the forefront of the command, but he's also laid the foundation for expansion and improvements in the future." 

At the organizational level, the Vance command post was evaluated based on criteria such as mission, initiatives taken, volunteer work, base-wide awards garnered by the command post and its personnel over the year, and the ability to support deployments and temporary duty assignments. 

"They're looking to see how well we can accomplish our mission here, as well as our contributions to the Air Force mission as a whole," explained Sergeant Smith. 

This is Vance's second year running, and second year winning. 

"I guess you could say we're on a hot streak," laughed Sergeant Smith.