Wing command post receives AFRC honors

  • Published
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 507th ARW Command Post has been named the AFRC Large Command Post of the Year for 2006. 

Controllers include: Master Sgt. James Rock; superintendent; Senior Master Sgt. Richard Hammonds, Master Sgts. Michael Taliaferro and Christopher Bohannon, Tech. Sgts. Barbara Belyeu and Paul LaFleur, Staff Sgts. Geneva Black, Sara Gaddis and Sarah Suppes, Senior Airmen Jessica McCowan and Kimberly Goshorn. 

The command post was recognized by the Tinker AFB COMSEC manager for maintaining a flawless COMSEC program. They received outstanding ratings on the last 13 semi-annual COMSEC inspections. The staff contributes to the operational excellence and mission effectiveness of the 507th -- supports the Homeland Defense effort by maintaining control of the Wing's alert force tasked to Operation Noble Eagle. 

For self-improvement, the controllers pro-actively pursue additional training courses to sharpen and hone their skills as a command post controller. Three controllers enrolled in and completed 7-level upgrade training. Twelve of 15 controllers hold a college degree or are currently pursuing bachelor degrees, one Juris Doctorate, two masters degrees, seven bachelors degrees, and five pursuing bachelors degrees. 

The controllers individually are involved in various base and community activities such as PTA, YMCA, Meals-on-Wheels, church activities, little league activities and the Wing's annual Operation Holiday Spirit program to help area homeless and Reserve families in need. 

The controllers deployed to various Operational Readiness Exercises and were recognized for their knowledge, skill and preparedness by the host evaluation teams. Four controllers were assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing Command Post to manage their self-inspection program, inspect all major areas, and provide procedural guidance in resolving all issues. They received letters of commendation from the 552nd ACW commander for the UCI support. They were recognized by the AFRC IG as the only unit to set up Single Channel Anti-Jam Man Portable Terminal (SCAMP) successfully under the allocated time. 

They will now compete for the Air Force title, to be selected this month.