412th TW, Airmen receive Aviation Resource Management awards

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Edwards 412th Test Wing continues to shine after being awarded the 2009 Sergeant Millard D. "Dee" Cambell Aviation Resource Management Team of the Year Award in the large unit category. Outstanding ARM awards for senior noncommissioned officer, noncommissioned officer and airman of the year, also landed at the home of Flight Test Nation.

Host Aviation Resource Management, 412th Operation Support Squadron brought home the large unit category award to 412th TW. The HARM team provided data and information based customer service to the leaders of the Air Force's premier test center. This team facilitated ARM service for $10 billion in Department of Defense assets and demonstrated their technical abilities by tracking 1,362 hours, 1,181 sorties, 52 test programs and all training for 260 aircrews without any discrepancies.

"I'm extremely proud of the HARM troops in my squadron and throughout the Test Wing," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Wharton, 412th OSS commander. "They do an incredible job as the servicing Aviation Resource Management organization for the Air Force Flight Test Center and surrounding area, keeping track of a vast number of aircrew qualifications for military, government civilians and contractors. That's a critical job that enables the AFFTC to get its mission done."

412th OSS provided support for the $40 million-a-year C-5, C-17A and C-130 flight test programs. 

Along with the large unit award, three Airmen from the wing were awarded for their outstanding Aviation Resource Management accomplishments. Master Sgt. Christopher D. Stokes, 412th OG, ARMS training superintendent, was named senior noncommissioned officer of the year. Sergeant Stokes oversaw the tracking of 2,500 training events for more than 120 aircrew members and authored a go-no-go checklist, which resulted in a 20 percent reduction in errors for pre-mission reviews.

"It feels pretty good," Sergeant Stokes said. "I had to assume responsibilities for basically a new position, which handles the training records for 13 squadrons, the overall scope of my responsibilities is why I believe I was recognized."

Staff Sgt. Christina J. Madick, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, aviation resource manager, won the ARM NCO of the Year award. Sergeant Madick's noted management of 4,190 flight hours and 2,627 sorties for the TPS along with being involved in almost every aspect of flying operations. She also took the fight to the enemy down range.

"I was proud to serve in Afghanistan," said Sergeant Madick. "It was also great to meet the Secretary of Defense while I was there."

The ARM Airman of the Year went to Senior Airman Laura A. Jakes, 418th Flight Test Squadron, aviation resource management. Airman Jakes was noted for her management of more than 1,400 flight hours and 400 sorties, which support C-5, C-17 and C-130 flight test programs. She said adjusting to the different mission at Edwards was probably her biggest achievement.

"Coming from Luke (AFT, Arizona), we only dealt with fighters. Just adapting to the different air frames, pilots and personnel here were challenging but fun," Airman Jakes said.

All three Airmen, along with the 412th TWX, will compete at the Air Force level.