Around Tinker

Capt. Thomas J. Ackerman has served as the Airfield Operations Flight commander since his arrival in July 2013. He also served more than five months as the Airfield Operations Flight commander while deployed to a base in Southwest Asia. In this capacity, he planned and began execution of over $2.1 billion in airfield construction, all while supporting critical Air Tasking Order directed operations. At Tinker, he leads a dynamic flight of 39 military and 19 civilian personnel spanning two independent functional areas. He oversees stewardship of the $250 million, 1,400 acre airfield and an annual air traffic control operations count exceeding 36,000. This past winter, he maximized resource and asset management of 72nd Air Base Wing snow and ice equipment during a high ops tempo period mixed with severe winter weather activity. These efforts enabled Tinker airfield’s 24/7 mission and kept delays and cancellations to an absolute minimum. Finally, he was a major player in finalizing Tinker’s first-ever Airfield Development and Sustainment Plan. This plan met and closed an Air Base Wing Strategic Plan goal and prioritized $137 million in airfield construction projects for the next two decades.

Around Tinker

Tech. Sgt. Michael Young, of the 72nd OSS Air Traffic Control Tower, strives on a daily basis to ensure maximum success of each individual within the control tower, the squadron and devotes countless hours on- and off-duty to support those around him. Sergeant Young is only one of two NCOs within the tower and expertly serves as the sole NCO focal point for 31 Airmen. In addition to performing as the only NCO within the facility, he serves as a “watch supervisor” who manages an air traffic control crew of more than 20 personnel on a rotating shift schedule. As a watch supervisor, he actively controls and manages all air traffic control operations within the scope of his shift; a tremendous responsibility for an NCO. Despite his heavy workload within the tower, he also serves as the squadron Resiliency trainer, and has temporarily served as a Sexual Assault Prevention facilitator.

Around Tinker

Gregg Surratt has performed his duties as an Airfield Management Operations coordinator since August 2009. Mr. Surratt strives to streamline processes to improve the unit’s efficiency while maintaining a safe airfield operating environment. His communication skills are exceptional for a position which requires him to coordinate with aircrew, aircraft maintainers, distinguished visitors and all levels of installation leadership. Frequently, his professionalism is documented on aircrew surveys where he is mentioned by name for exceptional service; enabling Airfield Management to maintain an impressive 5.9 out of 6.0 rating. His keen attention to detail and security for recent airfield projects valued at more than $10 million resulted in no incidents of either kind. Furthermore, during two severe winter storms Mr. Surratt kept the 72nd OSS commander up-to-date on all airfield and aircraft related issues. This critical information was subsequently relayed to Team Tinker’s Hazardous Weather Advisory Team so they could make informed decisions on the base’s operating status.

72nd ABW members honored with Wildcatter Awards

Published June 26, 2015
By Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Three members of the 72nd Operations Support Squadron recently received 72nd Air Base Wing Wildcatter Awards.

Capt. Thomas J. Ackerman has served as the Airfield Operations Flight commander since his arrival in July 2013. He also served more than five months as the Airfield Operations Flight commander while deployed to a base in Southwest Asia. In this capacity, he planned and began execution of over $2.1 billion in airfield construction, all while supporting critical Air Tasking Order directed operations.

At Tinker, he leads a dynamic flight of 39 military and 19 civilian personnel spanning two independent functional areas. He oversees stewardship of the $250 million, 1,400 acre airfield and an annual air traffic control operations count exceeding 36,000.
This past winter, he maximized resource and asset management of 72nd Air Base Wing snow and ice equipment during a high ops tempo period mixed with severe winter weather activity. These efforts enabled Tinker airfield's 24/7 mission and kept delays and cancellations to an absolute minimum. Finally, he was a major player in finalizing Tinker's first-ever Airfield Development and Sustainment Plan. This plan met and closed an Air Base Wing Strategic Plan goal and prioritized $137 million in airfield construction projects for the next two decades.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Young, of the 72nd OSS Air Traffic Control Tower, strives on a daily basis to ensure maximum success of each individual within the control tower, the squadron and devotes countless hours on- and off-duty to support those around him. Sergeant Young is only one of two NCOs within the tower and expertly serves as the sole NCO focal point for 31 Airmen. In addition to performing as the only NCO within the facility, he serves as a "watch supervisor" who manages an air traffic control crew of more than 20 personnel on a rotating shift schedule. As a watch supervisor, he actively controls and manages all air traffic control operations within the scope of his shift; a tremendous responsibility for an NCO. Despite his heavy workload within the tower, he also serves as the squadron Resiliency trainer, and has temporarily served as a Sexual Assault Prevention facilitator.

Gregg Surratt has performed his duties as an Airfield Management Operations coordinator since August 2009. Mr. Surratt strives to streamline processes to improve the unit's efficiency while maintaining a safe airfield operating environment. His communication skills are exceptional for a position which requires him to coordinate with aircrew, aircraft maintainers, distinguished visitors and all levels of installation leadership.

Frequently, his professionalism is documented on aircrew surveys where he is mentioned by name for exceptional service; enabling Airfield Management to maintain an impressive 5.9 out of 6.0 rating. His keen attention to detail and security for recent airfield projects valued at more than $10 million resulted in no incidents of either kind.
Furthermore, during two severe winter storms Mr. Surratt kept the 72nd OSS commander up-to-date on all airfield and aircraft related issues. This critical information was subsequently relayed to Team Tinker's Hazardous Weather Advisory Team so they could make informed decisions on the base's operating status.