7th AOF two for two

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Damon Kasberg
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Being the best out of 18 bases is tough. Doing it two years in a row is even harder, but that's exactly what Dyess Airmen did.

The 7th Operations Support Squadron's Airfield Operations Flight was awarded the 2011 Air Combat Command Annual Airfield Operations Award for Airfield Management Facility of the Year for the second year in a row.

"I almost fell out of my seat when I heard about the win," said Capt. Laura Chighizola, 7th OSS. "These guys were extremely motivated with accomplishing their goals. I love working with them, they're like family."

The evaluation was conducted to provide an assessment of the quality, adequacy and safety of the air traffic system supporting flying operations here. During the week-long evaluation, Airfield Management Operations received a 95 percent, which is considered outstanding.

According to the evaluation report, "Dyess AFB is providing good service to the military and civil users of the air traffic system. The 7th Mission Support Group is providing good support to the Airfield Operation Flight. The young communications squadron team is eager to succeed and we expect great strides from them in the upcoming months."

The evaluation team named three Dyess Airfield Management personnel as outstanding performers, Staff Sgt. Samantha Dodson, Staff Sgt. Carmela Carter and Senior Airman Aaron Henry.

"I felt proud when I found out we won again," said Senior Airman Aaron Henry, 7th OSS. "To win this award two years in a row shows that the air field operations facility at Dyess does great work. They're a good team that knows what they're doing."

This award makes the third consecutive major command title win for the AOF. In 2009 they won the Air Combat Command Annual Airfield Operations Award for Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year.

"We have the right people in the right places to get the job done," said Chighizola.
They are now competing at the Air Force level.