Edwards 'towers' over competition, wins five airfield operations awards Published March 10, 2008 By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Operations Support Squadron recently received five Air force Materiel Command Airfield Operations awards. The winners will represent AFMC to compete against other major commands across the Air Force. "We nominated a total of 12 awards, and to win five is a huge accomplishment," said Capt. Val Maldonado III, 412th OSS airfield operations flight commander. "It holds itself to the fact that the work we do here is diverse and unique." The following are the 412th OSS winners for the AFMC Airfield Operations awards: D. Ray Hardin Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year: Edwards Control Tower. Among the control tower team's accomplishment during the year, the team provided air traffic control operations for Air Force, Department of Defense and NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. They earned an "outstanding" during the 2007 AFMC air traffic system evaluation. Air Traffic Control Enlisted Manager of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brown, 412th OSS chief controller. Among Sergeant Brown's accomplishment during the year, he led 25 military and civilian personnel providing air traffic support for flight sorties. He accepted a 180-day deployment rotation as airspace coordinator for Pakistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Toshiya Jones, 412th OSS assistant chief controller. Among his accomplishments during the year, Sergeant Jones managed duty scheduling requirements for 25 civilian and military personnel. He facilitated 25,000 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School flight operations. Airfield Management Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. James Woods, 412th OSS deputy airfield manager. Among his accomplishments during the year, Sergeant Woods provided program oversight for runway replacement projects worth $103 million. Air Field Management Civilian Supervisor of the Year: Larry Ledford, 412th OSS airfield manager. Among his accomplishment during the year, Mr. Ledford led 14 military and civilian personnel in maintaining Edwards' lakebed and airfield complex. He ensured the airfield environment was 100-percent compliant. "The flight has dedicated time and their expertise to ensure the airfield is supporting all missions for the (Air Force Flight Test Center), and these awards from AFMC are complimentary to their dedicated service, "said 1st. Lt. Justin Rex, 412th OSS airfield operations flight operation officer. The airfield operations flight provides airfield management services, which is a basic airport compliance, Captain Maldonado said. They inspect the airfield making sure it is compliant with the Air Force Instructions and Federal Aviation Administration regulations. "We are making sure that all parts of the Edwards airspace system are intact, and at the same time, doing the local work to make sure the airport is safe enough to operate from," he said. Everything is a team concept, Captain Maldonado said. The airfield is a part of a bigger piece of the flight test operation. "The teamwork has been apparent within the airfield operations as the air traffic control services and the airfield management have continued to produce high quality results to the customers," Lieutenant Rex said. "Our continued success depends on our teamwork."