Three earn Wildcatter Awards from 72nd Air Base Wing Published May 16, 2014 72nd Air Base Wing TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Three members of the 72nd Operations Support Squadron were recently honored by 72nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Christopher Azzano with Wildcatter Awards. 1st Lt. Lindsy Gerrard has performed her duties as a 13M1/Airfield Operations Systems officer since August 2013. During this time, she has performed as the acting flight commander for the 72nd Operations Support Squadron's largest and most dynamic work center, comprised of 51 military and 19 civilian personnel. She managed aviation resources and budget exceeding $250 million while securing 1,483 acre airfield and ensuring more than 9,000 safe aircraft operations. Her administrative skills were integral in the formulation and processing of two formal letters of procedure culminating in streamlined airfield operations to reduce manpower and exchange awareness with flying operators. She maximized resource and asset management of 72nd Air Base Wing snow and ice equipment during high ops tempo periods of the severe winter season activity enabling the mission and keeping delays to an absolute minimum. Lieutenant Gerrard is an avid student of her profession completing the Airfield Operations Management Coordinator requirements in record time increasing officer staffing by 33 percent. Additionally, she tackled her Air Traffic Control training requirements earning her first position certification in eighty percent of the allotted time with a stunning 92 percent test average. Lieutenant Gerrard spent her off-time assisting with the registration for Oklahoma City Muscular Dystrophy Association Walk and Carnival, where she enabled more than 200 participants in sharing awareness and fundraising events furthering her role as model mil-citizen. She also participated in a four-hour volunteer effort as the Oklahoma City Food Bank building school backpack meals producing 7,932 units, which fed 2,430 under privileged children in the local community. Lastly, Lieutenant Gerrard has been invaluable as the Star Spangled Salute Tinker air show's assistant event deputy director, where she has alerted senior leadership awareness on progress of the organizational planning and design of the event managing a $200,000 budget for an anticipated two-day aerial event, and 150,000 spectator extravaganza. Senior Airman Allison Cross has been an air traffic controller since January 2012. During this time, Airman Cross has displayed outstanding professionalism; her dedication to the 72nd Operations Support Squadron creates positive impacts on both the mission and the Airmen she works with. Her ability to instruct trainees experiencing difficulty in training and mentor them to successful certification is a testament to her character and Wingman attitude. Airman Cross prepared a mock awards board and used her experiences to help prepare a fellow Airman who became the recipient of senior airman below-the-zone and 72nd Air Base Wing Airman of the Year. Her management of the tower's emergency action checklists and assistance with the presidential visit, a Congressional tour and 10 emergency aircraft responses were integral in Tinker Tower being named 2013 Air Force Materiel Command's D. Ray Hardin Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year. Airman Cross recently completed the requirements for her Community College of the Air Force degree and has begun a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management. Off-duty, she supports causes that recognize veterans, assist people impacted by natural disasters and raise awareness for breast cancer; she is also a regular volunteer at the Latté Lounge and as a dispatcher for Airmen Against Drunk Driving. Since August 2005, Aaron Botts has been the Air Traffic Control watch supervisor. During this time he has supervised more than 288,000 aircraft operations within Tinker's assigned airspace. Additionally, he led the air traffic control training and standardization office for 10 months during an 800 percent increase in assigned trainees. As unit security manager, Mr. Botts has maintained more than 200 security clearances without receiving a single discrepancy during inspections. A well-rounded civilian Airman, he maintained an 4.00 GPA while completing his Masters of Science in Aerospace Administration and Logistics from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Mr. Botts also expanded his leadership toolbox by being selected and completing Tinker's Employee Enhancement Program. Mr. Botts' "Can Do" attitude was personified by Tinker Tower's Air Force Materiel Command best, 99.4% compliance rating during the 2013 Airfield Operations Compliance Inspection. Finally, his infectious day-to-day commitment to excellence was instrumental in Tinker Tower's selection as Air Force Materiel Command's 2013 D. Ray Hardin award winner for the best Air Traffic Control facility and the continued success of Team Tinker.