Airfield Management sergeant receives AFMC award Published March 29, 2007 By Senior Airman Jason Hernandez 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Edwards Sergeant recently received an Air Force Materiel Command award for his work as the noncommissioned officer in charge of Airfield Management Operations here. Master Sgt. James Woods, with the 412th Operations Support Squadron, received the 2006 Airfield Management NCO of the Year award. The AFMC award is given annually for outstanding work in airfield operations. "I don't think one individual earns an award," Sergeant Woods said. "Everyone around me contributed to this recognition. I also think our mission at Edwards played a big part in earning the award. We participate in activities that other bases don't normally encounter." Sergeant Woods produced critical information for the $103 million runway rebuild project and verified important criteria specifications, Lt. Col. Chris Wheeler, the 412th OSS commander, wrote in the award nomination package. "The runway we are replacing at Edwards is 50 years old," Sergeant Woods said. "This is the only base I have been to where a runway itself was being replaced. We're going to build a temporary runway, remove the old one and have a new one in place by 2010." Sergeant Woods also performed daily flight planning for priority tests and kept manning intact for alternative fuel testing and X-37 unmanned vehicle tests, Colonel Wheeler said. Furthermore, Sergeant Woods executed personnel training and revamped the section's outdated Airfield Management operating and training instruction, Colonel Wheeler said. "I supervise the operations desk, personnel training and assist the airfield manager with day to day tasking such as meetings and future construction projects," Sergeant Woods said. "In normal day-to-day operations we also respond to in-flight emergencies, supervise the airfield and inspect the concrete and lighting systems. Anytime there is a fault, we make sure maintenance is done." Sergeant Woods has responded to more than 50 airfield emergencies and completed his Airfield Management course with a 96 percent average, Colonel Wheeler said. "I've always liked my career field because it's different every day," Sergeant Woods said. "I plan on doing this kind of work after I retire."