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Tinker’s OPSEC program noticed through award-winning manager

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker has a nationally-recognized asset who was celebrated May 8 in Anaheim, Calif.
Eb Bauer, former Tinker installation Operations Security program manager out of the 72nd Air Base Wing Plans and Programs office, won the 2012 National OPSEC Award for Individual Achievement Award in the Independent category.

"This award is a huge recognition for Tinker. It shows people are taking OPSEC into consideration more than we think they do on a day-to-day basis," said Mr. Bauer, who has since relocated to the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group Business Office. "This award recognizes everyone's efforts. It's not 'my' award. It's 'Tinker's' award."

As the installation OPSEC program manager for three years, Mr. Bauer worked with the various home and tenant units on base. He also worked with off-base mission partners including the Air Force Weather Agency in Norman, the Air Force Flights Standards Agency at Will Rogers International Airport, and the Oklahoma Air National Guard also at Will Rogers International Airport. In total he reached an audience of more than 85,000 individuals.

He implemented new and reinvigorated older training and education programs, making operations security his top priority. Additionally, Mr. Bauer helped Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command units ace their respective unit compliance inspection OPSEC and signature management sections in July 2011.

Mr. Bauer revised more than 33 installation contingency plans, rebuilt the installation's annual OPSEC report and developed a tracking tool to consolidate unit submissions that highlighted the base's accomplishments and initiatives.

Mr. Bauer also approached an Air Force cartoonist to design a better newsletter and revamped the purple dragon mascot.

Despite all he's done, Mr. Bauer said he couldn't believe he had been nominated. He had won the AFMC-level award in March, was submitted for the Air Force-level honor, but did not win. Following the Air Force contest, he was submitted for the national level against at least six other nominees from the Department of Defense-level including the other military branches and Defense Information Systems Agency.

"It was a huge accomplishment and it didn't seem real," Mr. Bauer said.
His former supervisor is also proud.

"Eb will downplay his role in earning this award but he truly was Mr. OPSEC at Tinker," said Larry Miller, 72nd ABW/XP director. "He's an innovative thinker who sees the big picture and has the ability to zero in on opportunities to improve our OPSEC posture in day to day activities as well as contingencies and deployment activities. He is highly deserving of this award."