7th AOF best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Damon Kasberg
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Operations Support Squadron, Airfield Operations Flight, Airfield Management was recently awarded the Headquarters Air Force Ronald B. McCarty Airfield Management Facility of the Year of 2011.

Their performance during the Headquarters Air Traffic System Evaluation Program Inspection in December 2011 was an extraordinary accomplishment where they achieved an overall score of 95 percent.

"I was at a loss of words, and if you know me, that isn't what I'm known for," said Master Sgt. Thomas W. Autorino, 7th Bomb Wing airfield manager. "I'm so proud of everyone. This award is the epitome of a team award; it's not an individual award, but a facility award. From our youngest airmen to our flight commander, we couldn't have done this without everyone's tireless support and above-and-beyond efforts."

To receive this award, the 7th AOF competed against 18 bases in the Air Combat Command. After winning in the ACC level, they had to compete against the other bases that won in their MAJCOM.

"What sets Dyess' Airfield Management section apart from all others is their ingenuity in solving long-standing Air Force-wide issues within the airfield management community and being the test-bed for numerous "first-ever" successes." said Autorino.

Maj. D. Scott Harris, Air Combat Command inspection lead, said that Dyess Airfield Management has an extremely knowledgeable and mature team who provide outstanding support to the 7th Bomb Wing, tenant and transient community.

"We're not going to stop now," said Autorino. "Naturally we're on a high and thinking about next year. We're going to go three-for-three at the Air Force level and try to win it again."