HomeNewsArticle Display

72nd OSS wins five command-level awards

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 72nd Operations Support Squadron made significant strides and turned heads in 2011. The squadron won four Air Force Materiel Command-level airfield operations awards, plus a weather award. They heard the news March 2.

The 2011 AFMC Annual Airfield Operations and Weather Awards were given to the airfield operations flight, weather flight and three individuals. They will now compete at the Air Force level.

"It just reflects the tremendous caliber of people we have throughout the squadron," said Lt. Col. Dan Furleigh, 72nd OSS commander. "They come to work every day with a positive attitude about working as a team, not only within their work centers, but also with the flying organizations and other support agencies across Team Tinker."

The squadron, which employs approximately 100 military, civilians and contractors, supports flying operations for the various Tinker units. Organized into four distinct flights - weather, airfield operations, maintenance and flight records - the squadron oversees flying operations and balances the priorities for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, the 552nd Air Control Wing, 507th Air Refueling Wing, 513th Air Control Group, U.S. Navy Command Strategic Communications Wing One, and 137th Air Refueling Wing.

The airfield operations flight won the Ronald B. McCarthy Airfield Management Facility of the Year. The weather flight won the AFMC Headquarters Outstanding Weather Organization award for below squadron level.

"I'm very proud our unit was selected as AFMC Airfield Management Facility of the Year. This award was truly earned by the daily efforts of each and every employee in airfield management," said Marc Bradley, 72nd OSS Airfield manager. Though he was named Airfield Manager of the Year, Mr. Bradley said he is more proud of the airfield operations award than his personal accomplishment. "Their pride, professionalism and personal devotion to maintaining such high standards can be seen in all their actions. I'm very fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of quality individuals."

Capt. Jeffrey Kreisel also earned an individual award, the Col. Derrel L. Dempsey Airfield Operations Officer of the Year, but he too preferred to put the emphasis on the airfield operations award.

"Team efforts trump individual efforts," said Captain Kreisel, 72nd OSS Airfield Operations Flight commander. "Our airfield management facility set a new standard for excellence in 2011."

Tech. Sgt. David Kopec took home the Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor of the Year award. Instead of taking credit as a personal win, he said it is a team achievement.

"Our team worked very hard last year to prepare for the Air Traffic System Evaluation Program inspection," said Sergeant Kopec, 72nd OSS assistant chief controller. "Our team's success during the inspection greatly contributed to the winning of this award. It's amazing to see what is possible when a great team comes together to accomplish a unified goal."