Leadership award takes instructor pilot to new heights Published Jan. 19, 2007 By TSgt M. Davis Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Capt DeAnna Franks' pilot wings have taken her to new heights since she recently received the Airlift Tanker Association's Young Leadership Award. Captain Franks, a T-37 instructor pilot and scheduler with the 8th Flying Training Squadron, earned her wings in October 2000 and her career has soared ever since. She flew critical sorties during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom in her C-130, but her proudest accomplishment was when she flew aid to the earthquake-stricken Iran last December. "I was deployed for the fifth time, but the first time as an aircraft commander," she said. "It was an honor that my crew was chosen to fly the mission. I was the first female pilot to land there -- that was quite an experience for me." She also was one of the first aircraft crews to land in Iraq after the start of the war. During this particular mission, she was the copilot for her squadron commander and wing commander that piloted the C-130 performing a late night, low-level sortie into Iraq to infiltrate the primary support teams to start operations in Talil, Iraq. Supporting up-and-coming leaders is important for Captain Franks. "Now more than ever our youngest and brightest members of the Air Force are on the front lines -- whether it is flying planes, running operations, or coordinating efforts of the war," she said. "I try to reach out to all ages, not just my students in pilot training, but also those younger that I can mentor -- Air Force Academy dreamers, young athletes and local school teachers." Captain Franks, an Orlando, Fla., native, not only teaches during duty hours, but on her off-duty time as well. "I volunteer as a swim coach for Enid now and love teaching children swimming and competitive skills, as well as discipline, structure and hard work," she said. "These qualities I learned as a child, and they are all instrumental in how my life has turned out." Her father, retired Lt Col Dean Haylett, was also instrumental in how her life turned out. "My biggest mentor was my father," she said. "Ever since I was little, I wanted to be like my dad -- an Air Force Academy graduate, an officer in the Air Force and a pilot. He taught me so much about working hard and also having a positive 'can-do' attitude." Her former supervisor, Lt Col Cameron Torrens, 50th Airlift Squadron commander, wasn't surprised that Captain Franks was selected for the award. "She epitomizes the essence of an outstanding junior officer," he said. "She won the award because she was my best pilot and repeatedly led her crews to combat 'firsts' for Air Mobility Command. My squadron members would fight to be a part of her crew." Navy CDR Brian Osborn, 8th FTS commander, was also aware of her accomplishments and was proud to have her as part of his training team. "This award, more than most, is so impressive because it recognizes superior leadership," CDR Osborn said. "Captain Franks is a tremendous asset to my squadron and will be a great role model for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training students as they begin their aviation careers."