BIG SAVE: Airman earns top Air Force award for alert deployed action Published Feb. 20, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- It was a tough way to start the day. A sandstorm had reduced visibility at Ali Air Base in Iraq to the operational minimum when Senior Airman Angela Huguley began her shift Oct. 6, 2008. Airman Huguley, an air traffic controller from the 72nd Operations Support Squadron, was nearing the end of her six-month deployment with the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron and her first operational assignment as an air traffic controller. "Nobody could see anything," Airman Huguley recalled. In addition to the poor weather, one of the airbase's two parallel runways was closed with a 15-member maintenance crew hard at work repairing the runway's surface. Keeping this in mind, Airman Huguley monitored the approach of a US Army RC-12 reconnaissance aircraft. Because of the poor visibility, the twin turbo-propeller aircraft was making an instrument approach into Ali. In addition to the four crewmembers, the aircraft also carried an estimated $2 million worth of electronic equipment on board. Operating under the army's Guardrail program, the aircraft is a vital source of signals intelligence gathering. The aircraft reported short finals and Airman Huguley cleared the aircraft to land on the left, open runway. Following local safety requirements, she also informed the crew that the right-hand runway was closed. Not yet having the aircraft in sight, Airman Huguley continued searching the approach end of the runway for a glimpse of the aircraft. Watching aircraft in all critical phases of flight "becomes second nature," Airman Huguley said. Doing that, she added, saves lives. Catching sight of the aircraft, Airman Huguley could see that it was lined up to land on the closed runway filled with maintenance crews and equipment. A disaster was seconds away. Airman Huguley quickly ordered the plane to go around. Climbing above the closed runway, the aircraft missed the maintenance crews and equipment by an estimated 100 feet. "She basically saved 19 people that day," said Capt. Gregg Potter, Airfield Operations Flight Commander of the 72nd Operations Support Squadron. "You never want this to happen, but that aircrew is lucky that she was there." In recognition of her quick action in saving the lives of those on the ground and in the air, Airman Huguley last week received the Lt. Gen. Gordon A. Blake Aircraft Save Award. The award is a rare achievement for any air traffic controller. "This is the highest award an air traffic controller can get," Captain Potter said. "Many people go their whole careers and never receive this award." "It's quite rare," added Lt. Col. Jay Stull, commander of the 72nd Operations Support Squadron. And Colonel Stull should know. Both he and Captain Potter are Aircraft Save Award recipients. "It's being at the right place at the wrong time," Captain Potter said. In order to be considered for the award, a witness to the incident must report the event to a commander within 15 days. A board then convenes quarterly to consider submitted recommendations. In this case, Airman Huguley was the only award recipient of five candidates considered by the board. The board, which met in December and included an instructor from the Advanced Instrument School and five senior NCOs from Airfield Operations specialties, deemed that Airman Huguley's "extraordinary dedication to duty and application of air traffic control procedures resulted in the prevention of a catastrophic mishap and loss of life." "Senior Airman Huguley's dedication and professionalism as an Airman and Air Traffic Controller ensured the protection of life, resource and safe accomplishment within the flying environment," according to Col. Randy J. Davis, director of Airfield and ATC standards. Airman Huguley credits her year-long ATC training with preparing her to handle such contingencies. Annual evaluations also keep skills sharp, she added. "I received excellent training," she said. Although the job can be stressful and Airman Huguley had her pick of different specialties on entering the Air Force three years ago, she said she made the right career choice. "I love it," she said. "Every day is a challenge. It is not boring ... I think it's the best enlisted job in the Air Force."