552 ACW congratulates four STEP promotees Published Jan. 22, 2009 By 1st Lt Kinder Blacke 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The 552nd Air Control Wing recently awarded four outstanding Airmen with another stripe as part of the Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion program. Each year, the Air Force allocates a limited number of STEP promotions for those Airmen who consistently do outstanding work. When awarded a STEP promotion, the Airman is immediately promoted to the next rank (limited to staff, technical or master sergeant). This year, the 552nd ACW earned four STEP promotions. Staff Sgt. John Accola, 552nd Maintenance Squadron, was unexpectedly promoted to technical sergeant while hard at work Dec. 19. Tech. Sgt. Shannon McCann, 552nd Air Control Networks Squadron, earned a master sergeant stripe for his excellent track record, and was congratulated by his fellow Airmen, who gathered in the squadron conference room for the surprise presentation. Tech. Sgt. Rachel Moore, 552nd Air Control Wing, was caught off guard at the Wing Staff Holiday Party with a stripe promoting her to master sergeant for her consistent record of excellence. Staff Sgt. Nicole Copeland, 552nd Operations Support Squadron, was awarded her stripe as she disembarked the jet that brought her back from her latest deployment Jan. 14.