Warrior of Month balances job, motherhood

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • 71 Flying Training Wing public affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tech Sgt. Kellie Novak, 71st Operations Support Squadron air traffic control craftsman, "has been a prime example for others by displaying unwavering dedication to her profession and fellow Airmen," according to her supervisor, Master Sgt. John Gallagher. "Sergeant Novak has exhibited true and consistent leadership by supporting her deployed crewmates, by sending care packages; her squadron, by taking the lead in many booster club events; and her wing, by honoring new promotees through administration of the monthly base promotion ceremony."

In addition to those activities, June's Warrior of the Month also had a noticeable impact on the flying mission at Vance while working in radar approach control. She safely controlled 14 emergencies to ensure the safe return of 43 passengers and $63.3 million in Air Force assets. The emergencies included recovering an off-course aircraft by helping the crew locate the field before encountering fuel shortage problems and preventing a collision between two aircraft when a student responded to the wrong call sign. 

After being a tower controller for 10 years, the Houston native was assigned to her current duties on arrival at Vance in March 2006 for training to get her special experience identifier.

"I'd have to say that training in the RAPCON has been the most challenging thing I have ever done," Sergeant Novak said. "But I enjoyed the experience of working in the busiest radar approach control in the Air Education and Training Command. I'll be returning to where I've felt comfortable the previous 10 years taking over as assistant chief controller in September, and I can't wait to get started on this next chapter of my career."

Appropriately for an active-duty couple, Sergeant Novak and husband, Tech Sgt. Ryan Novak, 71st Security Forces Squadron, celebrated Independence Day with the birth of their son Brett. He will be joining sisters Taylor and Madison in the Novak family.

"Ryan and I met in Korea and married in 2000. Since our marriage almost seven years ago I have deployed to Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all in 2003 during the same deployment cycle," she said. "It was the kickoff of the war and they moved me around as they needed controllers. I went again in 2005 to Balad Air Base, Iraq, where I was a watch supervisor in the tower. That was the most exciting time in my air traffic control career to say the least."

Spending time with her husband and children is at the top of her list for off-duty activities.

"We are a very active family and love to go-go-go. I love to be outdoors and busy, whether it be with friends or family," Sergeant Novak said. "I also enjoy anything sports related, 'especially watching Michigan Wolverine football', says my husband."
She is also completing her bachelors degree in professional aeronautics.

"Ryan and I look forward to the next eight years we have left in the military and our time at Vance, " Sergeant Novak said. "This is a great place to raise a family and you couldn't ask for more from the local community. We realized what a great place this was when we delivered our son last week at Integris Bass. Everyone was very nice, and we could not have asked for a better experience for the delivery of our last child."