60th OSS flight, members honored by AMC

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Two individuals and one flight from the 60th Operations Support Squadron were recently announced as winners of awards at the Air Mobility Command level.

Senior Master Sgt. John Kirby, Senior Master Sgt. Christina Bolle and the 60th OSS Airfield Operations Flight were selected, respectively, as Air Traffic Control Senior Manager of the Year, Airfield Manager of the Year and the Airfield Operations Complex of the Year.

The Airfield Operations Complex award honors all of the individuals who work in the air traffic control tower as well as the radar approach control office. Maj. Monty Harshner, the flight's commander, said that the award "means a lot" to him and the 141 members of his flight.

"This speaks to every person in the flight and the great job we all do together," said the major. "I know they were doing great work day in and day out, but now ... AMC has acknowledged that as well."

The honor means that Travis is the best in AMC at quality, safety, handling an unusual traffic workload, emergency situations or exercises and sustained efficiency, said Major Harshner.

The Airmen performed more than 35,000 operations with no mishaps or hazardous air traffic reports in 2010 while overseeing the movement of more than 116,000 pounds of cargo.

Travis also is a top ATC training base, issuing 190 ratings despite a training load of 480 percent.

Instrumental in that training was Sergeant Kirby, the senior controller of the ATC tower.

"John has managed about five times as many trainees as normal," said Maj. Richard Tanner, the 60th OSS commander.

Major Tanner noted that the program did not have a single Airmen wash out at a time when the Air Force rate is around 28 percent.

Sergeant Kirby's 2010 was hectic, beginning at Dover Air Force Base, Del., before permanently changing station to Travis in June of last year. He also spent time in Baghdad, helping complete transition of control of the ATC from United States forces to Iraq forces.

Sergeant Kirby said he was honored to be selected as one of the best in his career field.

"Air traffic controllers, in general, are a very special breed," he said. "It's not a career where it's OK to make mistakes. We have to get it right the first time, every time. ... This job is an amazing job."

Sergeant Bolle oversees airfield operations at Travis, working with Security Forces on barriers and security matters; teaming with the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron to repair a runway and manage the construction of a new $70 million one; working with contractors to restripe the airfield and remove rubber; manages the Air Force driving program; and supervises day-to-day operations such as monitoring foreign debris and cutting the grass.

"I hardly understand everything that she does," said Major Tanner with a laugh. "She is the brains -- not the architect -- but the single point of contact between the airfield and all the other people doing work."

Sergeant Bolle said since she arrived at Travis nearly two years ago, it has been "a rollercoaster ride, but I still love it." She said 10- and 12-hour days are not uncommon, nor are phone calls in the middle of the night.

"It takes that added umph just to make this job work," she said. "I like the pressure. I thrive in that kind of environment."

She said she was unaware she was even nominated for the award until her leadership informed her she had won.

"When I found out I got the award, I was shocked," she said. "The award is an honor and it shows that every little thing that each and every one of us in the Air Force does has an impact."