377 ABW Command Post claims three AFMC annual awards

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland AFB, N.M. --  The 377th Air Base Wing Command Post has been named the Air Force Materiel Command 2011 Small Command Post of the Year, and can boast of having both the AFMC Command Post NCO and Airman of the Year.

According to the award nomination, the 377 ABW Command Post is the most diverse in AFMC, providing command and control support to more than 100 mission partners in areas such as directed energy, space, nuclear and special operations.

The CP led more than 70 Department of Energy/Department of Defense missions vital to the nation's nuclear enterprise; achieved the command's highest rating in four years during an Operational Readiness Inspection; enabled real-time awareness of installation status with a new daily wing operations summary; enhanced communication of time-critical information to a base population of 25,000 by installing 13 Giant Voice towers; deconflicted 5,539 explosive/directed energy tests with no incidents; led four civilian rapid-response search and rescue requests, executing recovery activities and coordinating helicopter support to save two lives; supported interagency response to New Mexico's largest wildfire, synchronizing 242 water sorties that dropped 600,000 gallons over 145 square miles; managed 15 no-notice sensitive ground movements, receiving 50,000 pounds of munitions with no incidents; its training program was hailed as AFMC's best and a benchmark for other bases; and CP team members expanded their knowledge, with four controllers completing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Incident Management Course.

Beyond the collective recognition, two 377 ABW CP Airmen were also noted at the major command level for exceptional performance.

Staff Sgt. Silas J. Devine Jr. is the 2011 AFMC Command Post NCO of the Year.

The award nomination says he fills a senior NCO billet, managing 13 Airmen in round-the-clock operations. Named an "Outstanding Performer" in two higher headquarters inspections; provided "flawless" support to the FBI; revamped CP evacuation procedures to reduce time required by 67 percent; created movement-tracking process for 50 incident-free missions; set up SharePoint site that boosted productivity by 65 percent; directly supported more than 40 special missions for the nuclear enterprise; developed a comprehensive checklist for search and rescue missions that contributed to four SAR missions and two saves.

In addition, Devine continued progress toward his CCAF degree, applying knowledge in the workplace; mastered 40-hour Sexual Assault Response Coordinator training, devoting 168 hours on-call to provide awareness and response for base population of 21,000; and mentored young people in the community.

Airman 1st Class David Brown is the 2011 AFMC Command Post Airman of the Year.

The award nomination calls him an "indisputable superstar among his peers." He led the CP during a higher headquarters inspection; orchestrating response to an "active shooter" scenario; maintained a 95 percent average on monthly certification exams, placing him in the top 8 percent of his career field; de-conflicted and finalized 62 self-inspection items with no negative findings; created a desktop application that raised efficiency 85 percent; coordinated search and rescue support that led to two lives saved; synchronized multiple agency requests during state's largest wildfire; directed crisis support operations for 40 flight, ground and medical emergencies, saving lives and $2 billion in Air Force assets; and managed more than 30 DOE movements, coordinating missions and maintaining positive command and control.

Additionally, Brown volunteered for Kirtland Against Drunk Driving, providing safe transportation to the base populace; maintained health and welfare of shelter animals for the Humane Society; and tutored six elementary school students and influenced peers to participate.