Senior analyst receives top award Published Dec. 18, 2007 By Dawn Hart Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- An outstanding test team, initiative and imagination are what the 2006 Air Force Civilian Analyst of the Year award winner describes as key to his receiving this honor. Clyde Shook, the 8th Flight Test Squadron senior test analyst, received his award during a recent research symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was recognized for overseeing 27 Air Force Special Operations Command efforts worth more than $1.85 million, all critical to the command's success in the war on terrorism. Designing a test, figuring out what type of data and instrumentation is required, collecting and analyzing that data, writing reports and briefing up to the national level is all in a day's work for Mr. Shook. But he credits winning this award to an "outstanding test team." Of special significance was the 18th FLTS team's development of the Department of Defense's first effective test methodology to evaluate aircraft infrared surface-to-air missile counter-tactics. This test process allowed AFSOC officials to create, evaluate, modify or discard specific aircraft tactics tailored to minimize IR threat effectiveness. Mr. Shook and Mr. W.R. Wanamaker, test director, designed and led the test process for both fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. In 2006, AFSOC officials sponsored the third application of this process for AC-130 Gunship Tactics Development and Evaluation, which validated and updated gunship man-portable air defense system, or MANPADS, tactics. "The test was run and completed under almost perfect operational performance by the test team," Mr. Shook said. "That's 81 people, all of them doing different things for probably one of the most complex tests AFSOC has ever performed anywhere, and it came off perfect. Mr. Wanamaker and the whole team really deserve major credit." As the senior test engineer/analyst for AFSOC's electronic, infrared and special communication warfare testing, Mr. Shook is a nationally recognized expert who has made a direct impact on today's warfighter. The results from his infrared MANPADS tactics testing were applied across AFSOC and are applicable throughout DOD. He also spearheaded AFSOC's first AC-130 Gunship tactics evaluation against the IR MANPADS acquisition and engagement, and validated gunship MANPADS tactics for the first time. "He's a very highly respected test analyst throughout the entire DOD," said 1st Lt. Zac Proano, Mr. Shook's supervisor. "He has an impeccable work ethic. He'll work as long as it takes, as hard as he needs to get the job done, regardless of how difficult it may be. He's the ultimate wingman. He's the warrior that I would want next to me if I was going in to the fight. That's the kind of attitude and attributes he brings to the table." Mr. Shook has also won the Air Force Association's Program Manager of the Year award in the GS 13-14 category. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page