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Soaring above the rest

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  

Two 325th Operation Support Squadron members recently received a 2013 Air Combat Command Airfield Operations award.

Senior Master Sgt. Jeffery Stockwell, 325th OSS airfield manager, won the 2013 Airfield Manager of the Year.

According to his awards letter, Stockwell who's currently deployed, oversaw two airfields, three runways, $8 billion in infrastructure, 70 aircraft, more than 600 personnel and 46,000 airfield operations.

"I could not be more proud to serve with such an amazing leader and mentor," said Master Sgt. Linda Sawyer, 325th OSS deputy airfield manager. "His dedication to building the next generation of airfield managers and Air Force leaders is unmatched and greatly appreciated.  Those attributes are what drove his selection for this award, and we are lucky to have him here at Tyndall.

"Stockwell is the epitome of a team member and leader," Sawyer added. "He demonstrates devotion to the team and our success every day.  He assumes responsibility for our failures and gives us all the credit when we shine.  He is a true team leader."

Another 325th OSS team leader is Master Sgt. Christopher D. Wagoner, 325th OSS radar approach control assistant chief controller, who won the 2013 Air Traffic Control Manager of the Year.

"I was excited," said Wagoner an Indianapolis, Ind., native. "I've won awards at lower levels, but nothing as high as an ACC level award.  Being recognized for doing good work in competition with peers within your job also brought me great pride."

The award not only encompassed work he did here, but also while deployed.

"While I was deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, I was one of two senior NCOs that set the transition to U. S. Air Force air traffic control liaison support from civilian contracted personnel," Wagoner said.  "This transition involved establishing new procedures for Air Force controllers to follow and a new training program for them to use for future deployers to Manas."

Wagoner expressed the following words for his Airmen.

"Be the best you can be in whatever position you are put in, whether it is by choice or by circumstance," Wagoner said.