Controllers receive AFA award Published July 16, 2003 By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- Five tactical-air command and control airmen accepted the Air Force Association’s Air Force Outstanding Team of the Year award July 14 in Arlington, Va.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray coordinates with command chief master sergeants to select the career field to receive the award. The chiefs then work with career-field managers to select five people to accept the award on behalf of their peers.The airmen recognized at the ceremony were:-- Staff Sgt. Scott T. Ball, from the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron at Wuerzburg, Germany.-- Staff Sgt. Joseph S. Hren, from the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea.-- Staff Sgt. Kevin D. Vance, from the 17th ASOS at Hunter Army Air Field, Ga.-- Tech. Sgt. Scott J. Grotbo, from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 169th ASOS.-- Tech. Sgt. Shawn J. Minyon, from the 13th ASOS at Fort Carson, Colo.Controllers primarily perform and manage tactical-air control party operations and provide Air Force assistance and expertise in planning and controlling combat air operations. They also operate and supervise networks to support Army ground maneuver units.Although the five representatives accepted the award, it was the career field that won, Vance said.“It’s not about us; it’s about the career field,” he said. “I find it difficult to be here when there are so many (people) who have accomplished so much more.”The award reinforces the importance of the team concept and of accomplishing their mission, according to Minyon.“Staying alive and having the team intact,” is an important way to measure the success of a tactical-air control party, Minyon said. Teamwork and cohesiveness allowed controllers to help liberate Kandahar, Afghanistan, and evacuate the Afghani president. Minyon was involved in both missions.“It’s teamwork with the joint services,” he said. “There may be only one or two Air Force guys among 12 Army, but we’re not distinguished as a separate service. There is no difference -- we’re shooters just like them. We have the same goal.”Another recipient explained the “transparency” within the career field.“In Operation Enduring Freedom, nobody knew that I was an Air National guardsman until I told them,” Grotbo said. “There’s no difference. We’re all the same whether active duty, Guard or Reserve.”According to AFA officials, team of the year awards honor the enlisted professionals who display superior technical expertise, attract the praise of their superiors and provide leadership and inspiration to their co-workers.