Keesler honors 50 years of service with room dedication Published April 29, 2016 By Brian Lamar 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Civilian employees and military leaders filled Cody Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, April 26, to honor the career accomplishments of retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Francis Herbert by renaming and dedicating the Flight Control Tower simulator room to the CWO-4 Francis Herbert Air Traffic Control Tower Lab. To commemorate 50 years of service in peacetime and wartime, including time as an instructor here, the 334th Training Squadron held a ribbon cutting to officially reopen the doors to the lab bearing the new name and an art exhibit with pictures from Herbert’s career. “Mr. Herbert is the finest example of leadership I’ve ever known,” said Kevin Smart, 334th TRS air traffic control master instructor and Herbert’s coworker for nine years. “His work ethic and expectations of our conduct, appearance and work in the classroom were beyond reproach. Everyone here wanted to work with Mr. Herbert and it is a privilege and honor to be here today.” The room dedication ceremony was filled with the Herbert family, civilian and military staff from Keesler and air traffic controllers who were in town for a three-day air traffic control conference hosted by the 334th TRS staff. “Chief Warrant Francis Herbert is an air traffic control pioneer and we are proud to celebrate our heritage with this ceremony,” said Lt. Col. Steve Mullins, 334th TRS commander. During the ceremony, a letter from Maj. Gen. Mark Brown, 2nd Air Force commander, who couldn’t attend was read to Herbert. “Without question you are deserving of this honor and many more,” Brown’s letter read. “From World War II to Morocco in the Cuban Missile Crisis to Vietnam, you continue to make us so proud to be in service. My sincere thanks and salute for service worthy of the awards.” After the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to view the room filled with refreshments and pictures illustrating the storied career of Herbert, who is affectionately known as “Mr. Air Traffic Control.” While touring the newly-opened lab, Herbert stated he was honored to be a permanent part of the air traffic control training here at Keesler. “I would like to say thank you; I am honored,” Herbert said.