36th CS deputy commander wins PACAF outstanding civilian award

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 2007 Pacific Air Forces Communications and Information Outstanding Civilian Specialist award was presented to the 36th Communications Squadron Operations Flight deputy commander recently.

Arthur Hameister, Jr., a GS-11, has proven to PACAF he is a "platinum civilian" as described in his award package. He will go on to compete for the Air Force Association's Gen. Billy Mitchell Award for Communications and Information Excellence.

Mr. Hameister said he is honored to have won this award.

"Even though it is an individual award, it was an entire 36th Communications Squadron team effort," he said. "This is evident as our squadron also won the PACAF Communications and Information Annual Team Award."

One of the biggest accomplishments for Mr. Hameister and his teammates was the Network Control Center's "Lights Out" initiative.

"Due to manning constraints, we went from having a 24/7 manned service desk to one that is now operational 24/7 but on stand-by from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on weekends and holidays," he said.

There was a lot of planning and coordinating done to work on a Service-level Agreement with Navy servicemembers to perform operator duties. Its success allowed Airmen to work in their respective work centers and rotate weekly to the Service Desk.

"The personnel now achieve operational experience in their respective duties, as well as understand the needs of customers when working at the Service Desk," said Mr. Hameister. "It was a 'win-win' situation."

Another accomplishment, he said, was the two-flight reorganization which the Air Force required all communications squadrons to complete by April 2008. This provided the squadron an opportunity to think "outside the box" and find ways in which to better serve their customers.

"We now have some NCOICs working out of their comfort zone as they are now responsible for personnel that work in a different career field," said Mr. Hameister. "This synergy, I believe, will help the squadron grow and make even greater strides in productivity and efficiency in meeting our missions of today and in the future."

According to Capt. Duncan Leuenberger, 36th CS, Mr. Hameister is a great individual who's been very involved and integrated in his squadron.

"Over the last year, Mr. Hameister has gone from overseeing the Network Control Center and doing the Unit Compliance Inspection to completely getting ready to transform the squadron to support Air Force Network Operations," said Captain Leuenberger.

Mr. Hameister has filled in during the flight commander's absence for training and temporary duties, and during this time he commanded 76 Airmen and took charge of a $20 million network.

He spearheaded White House Communications Agency reception and personally configured the network for the Vice President of the United States.

He led Andersen's first-ever voice over internet protocol network, which reduced future dependency on failing cable and saved the wing $85,000.

And he also nailed the Unit Compliance Inspection "excellent" rating by pressing five network control center shops' mastery of 173 compliance items with zero findings.

"He's a total team player," said Captain Leuenberger. "He participates in PT (physical training) with the squadron. He's out there running with us and doing PT every morning; he really enjoys it."

"I'm proud to work with a team of professionals wanting to make Andersen a better place," said Mr. Hameister.

Mr. Hameister has been in Guam for 24 years, working first in the Navy shipyards and then in the civil engineer squadron for six years. He's been in his current position for approximately four years.