Airfield management team named best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force named an 11-person team from the 325th Operations Support Squadron the 2006 Airfield Management Facility of the Year.  

"Managing Tyndall's airfield construction is too massive of an undertaking for any one person," said Capt. John Lockett, 325th OSS airfield operations flight commander. "They have the right attitude and diligence to ensure a comprehensive, quality product. I'm proud of the airfield management (personnel's) work ethic and Team Tyndall as a whole."

The flight's basic goal is to keep runways and taxiways running without interrupting the mission. Among its biggest challenges are the flight planning process and coordinating multi-million dollar construction projects on the airfield. Customer satisfaction is the measurement of success, according to Tech. Sgt. Edward Tyre, 325th OSS NCO in charge of airfield management operations.

"They rely on us to be efficient," said Senior Airman Jessica Brown, 325th OSS airfield management operations shift supervisor, about the organizations they often need to coordinate with to file an average of 2,000 flight plans monthly, schedule construction work needed on the airfield, respond to emergencies or welcoming aircrew stationed here or visiting.

"Without the support of the (airfield management) team I definitely wouldn't be able to do my job," said Tech. Sgt. Nick Thompson, 325th OSS deputy airfield manager. "The leadership, who work with us, gives me the freedom to get the work done."

Sergeant Thompson said he believes there are two significant accomplishments of the past year that made his team stand out above other bases competing for the same award. First, in addition to using a mandatory checklist to show what needed to be done to meet airfield standards, he sent along photographs. This gave commanders throughout his chain of command and higher, a visible look at Tyndall's needs and an incentive to approve the funding. Second, the team volunteered to be one of the Air Force's first bases to test the flightline driving simulator, a computer-based experience of driving on the airfield they manage. After completion of the virtual course, operators take a test on the flightline.

They've also been praised for spearheading a $135,000 tree cutting operation that cleared 620 acres of land to eliminate all tree penetrations and clear zone violations. They led construction of 16 sunshades and coordinated parking plans for 11 units and 66 aircraft. More than 32 airfield projects were coordinated around daily 325th Fighter Wing operations, providing safety for more than 95,000 operations on base. These are just a few more accomplishments on the long list of last year's highlights.

"Excellence was our goal (for this award)," said Sergeant Tyre. "We take pride in what we do and we want to be the best. We make sure when people come here they are welcomed and sent off with a good experience." 

Sergeant Tyre said his experienced team ensures proper protocol is met to every aircrew member, from an Aero Club student to a wing fighter pilot trainee to a distinguished visitor. Flight members are also encouraged to be themselves, show their talents and develop new skill sets which give them a closer working relationship with their co-workers and their customers. 

Winning one of the service's top honors in their career field only means expectations will be even higher for the Tyndall team.

"My hope for our hard-charging winners is that they understand "can-do" attitude and teamwork are the perfect recipe for success; moreover, that they mentor the next generation to carry out excellence in every task," Captain Lockett said.