Airmen receive AFMC awards

  • Published
  • By Jonathan Rejent
  • Nucleus staff writer
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  An officer and a senior NCO assigned to a geographically separated unit of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center have received awards at the Air Force Materiel Command level.

Capt. Nicholas Battle received the Mid-Career Military Engineer award and Master Sgt. Ronald Sampson received the Engineering Technician award. Battle is now competing for the award at the Air Force level.

Battle and Sampson are part of a technical engineering team at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

Among many accomplishments, they were recognized for their extensive contribution to the Minuteman III missile system. Their team ensures that all of the system's 150 alert sites receive proper maintenance and repair when necessary, as well as solving system anomalies and faults.

"We are essentially the one-stop-shop for all missile maintenance actions that go beyond technical data," said Battle, the team's officer in charge.

They were also recognized for their role in the annual code change - the process of updating operational codes at the launch facilities and control centers of the missile system.

"It is a huge undertaking that involves multiple agencies to achieve success; Technical Engineering is one of those agencies." Sampson said. "We ensure that the launch facility and control centers' communications and interconnectivity are not interrupted during code change."

Battle and Sampson's team also creates innovative ways to prolong the life of an aging weapons system and provides 24/7 mission support.

"Whenever an agency needs our assistance, we respond immediately so they can accomplish their mission safely and securely with minimal downtime for the weapon system," Sampson said.

Both recipients attribute a "team effort" to their individual awards.

"We are like a family and we all work together to see the success of each other and the mission," Sampson said.

Battle said that without the hard work and dedication of the people in his office, receiving the award would not have been possible.

"The impact that our leadership has, from the highest level to the lowest, shows that the AFNWC prepares its individuals to succeed in every facet of their daily job duties," Battle said.