25th FTS lieutenant recognized as outstanding safety performer Published Jan. 5, 2007 By Frank McIntyre Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- 1st Lt Matthew Chisam earned the 71st Flying Training Wing Outstanding Safety Performer Award for his handling of a complicated multi-aircraft emergency situation actions at Vance Air Force Base March 29. An instructor pilot with the 25th Flying Training Squadron, Lieutenant Chisam was acting as a runway supervisory unit instructor controller when a solo student blew two tires during a full-stop landing. According to the award citation, Lieutenant Chisam quickly assessed the situation and realized two other solo students with low fuel were in the pattern. He quickly coordinated for their immediate recovery to the center runway. Complicating matters, one of the solos was an international student having trouble understanding instructions. Lieutenant Chisam, gave the international student step-by-step instructions to safely recover the aircraft. "Lieutenant Chisam's performance in this critical situation is indicative of the outstanding job he and all of the Shooter RSU controllers do as safety observers in our traffic pattern," said Lt Col Leonard Litton, 25th FTS commander. "You don't get the command-leading safety record we have here at Vance AFB without people like Lieutenant Chisam."