Articles

Air Mobility Control Center named best in AMC

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Powell
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Air Mobility Command officials recently named the 734th Air Mobility Squadron's Air Mobility Control Center the best in its command for 2007. 

The control center, made up of 13 members, beat out 13 other en-route units vying for the award. 

"It's an awesome accomplishment," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Vicars, AMCC's training NCOIC. "Just getting [the award] for the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force was a milestone in itself, but to go on and win at the AMC level really set us apart." 

According to the award citation, the control center was instrumental in the safe launch and recovery of more than 1,600 missions, 271 million pounds of cargo and 8,000 passengers. 

Additionally, during an AMC command and control review, the professionalism and dedication of its assigned personnel were noted as "Outstanding," and one of its programs were benchmarked. 

"We are the only [air mobility control center] without a flight commander," said Master Sgt. Latrice Wright, the control center's superintendent. "[That] speaks volumes [about] the caliber of Airmen and NCOs assigned." 

However, that wasn't the only hurdle the Airmen in the control center had to overcome. 

"We underwent a complete renovation of our unit," Sergeant Vicars said. "Our unit worked with little resources and less-than-desirable work conditions for six months, yet still maintained the same level of professionalism." 

Now that the control center has won the award, its members are already looking to win it again. 

"[Winning the award] has definitely instilled a sense of pride in us and really makes us want to repeat this award next year," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hart, console operations NCOIC. 

To do that, the members are hoping to acquire new equipment to help aid in its ability to provide quality service and further enable the mission, Sergeant Vicars said. 

The control center provides a real-time link between higher headquarters and global mobility forces, according to Sergeant Wright. It also relays command and control instructions from the Tanker Airlift Control Center and facilitates AMC airlift support. 

The other members in the AMCC are: Tech. Sgt. John Downard, Staff Sgt. Sherri Watson, Staff Sgt. Kristina Bozarth, Staff Sgt. Amanda Fox, Senior Airman Michael Uloth, Senior Airman Lacie Meeks, Senior Airman Jaime Kajiwara, Senior Airman Charles Thompson, Airman 1st Class Edward Feathers and Rolando Ortiz.