Outstanding airfield operators announced

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AFNS) --  The Air Force's top air traffic control and airfield management personnel for 2009 were announced at an awards dinner hosted by Maj. Gen. Marke Gibson, director of operations in the office of the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements. 

The dinner concluded a three-day airfield operations conference that brought together active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve military and civilian airfield operators from around the world in a night of celebration showcasing the major achievements and accomplishments of 2009's individual and team winners.

Through exemplary performance in their core competencies as well as actions demonstrated above and beyond the scope of daily activities supporting both home station and deployed operations, Airmen, officers and civilians were singled out for recognition. After competing at their respective major commands, winning candidates' award packages were forwarded for consideration at the Air Force level.

The following airfield operations facilities and personnel are recognized as the Air Force's best for 2009:

Airfield Operations Flight Complex of the Year: 18th Operations Support Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan

Deployed Facility of the Year: 506th Expeditionary OSS, Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq

D. Ray Hardin Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year: 19th OSS, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Ronald B. McCarthy Airfield Management Facility of the Year: 36th OSS, Andersen AB, Guam

Colonel Derrel L. Dempsey Officer of the Year: Capt. Joshua Leete, 71st OSS, Vance AFB, Okla.

Air Traffic Control Enlisted Manager of the Year: Master Sgt. James Mull, 71st OSS

Airfield Management Senior NCO of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 56th OSS, Luke AFB, Ariz.

Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor of the Year: Master Sgt. Kevin McGarry, 325th OSS, Tyndall AFB, Fla.

Air Traffic Control Civilian Controller in Charge: Andres Jimenez, 57th OSS, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Airfield Management NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. James Gross, 81st Operational Support Flight, Keesler AFB, Miss.

Airfield Management Civilian Supervisor of the Year: Randall Jackson, 6th OSS, MacDill AFB, Fla.

Air Traffic Controller of the Year: Senior Airman Brandon Reyes, 71st OSS

Air Traffic Controller Civilian of the Year: Aaron Headen, 57th OSS

Airfield Management Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Shanara Greiner, 316th OSS, Andrews AFB, Md.

Airfield Management Civilian Journeyman/Technician of the Year: Douglas Starkweather, 319th OSS, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.

Air Traffic Control Training Achievement: Tech. Sgt. Kristie Chung, 51st OSS, Osan AB, South Korea

Airfield Management Training Achievement: Staff Sgt. Carla Plummer, 27 OSS, Cannon AFB, N.M.

Terminal Instrument Procedures Specialist of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Julian Duenas, 18th OSS