CP garners unit awards in 2 MAJCOMS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Often referred to as the brain or nerve center of the base, one Incirlik Air Base office is the focal point for all operations on the installation. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, the Incirlik Command Post and its Airmen are essential in ensuring all aspects of Incirlik's operations run smoothly and effectively, which is the reason this team can now call themselves award winners.

Recently, the 39th Air Base Wing Command Post garnered the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa 2014 Medium Command Post Unit-Level of the Year Award along with the 728th Air Mobility Control Center which won the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing Medium Air Mobility Control Center of the Year Award.

"These awards are a true testament to the hard work and effort the Airmen of the command post have put forth each and every day," said Master Sgt. Steven Davis, 39th ABW Command Post NCO in charge of counsel operations.

Towards the end of the 2014 fiscal year, these two squadrons faced a challenge that brought them together under one roof. On Dec. 29, 2014, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, mandated that each Air Force base merge its AMCC and CP into one functioning unit.

"As you might imagine, any move comes with its inherent problems and obstacles to overcome," said Airman 1st Class Tammy Jones, 39th ABW Command Post controller. "It's been a learning experience and as the merger process levels out, the future of the command post is promising."

This combined command post is now charged with the responsibility of controlling all aircraft from the 3rd and 18th air forces that are moving supplies downrange, as well as the USAFE and U. S. European Command missions involving Incirlik AB, along with the everyday services provided to the Turkish government.

"We took two award winning units and combined them into one outstanding unit," said Davis. "This change has presented us with both opportunities and challenges which have grown and developed our Airmen tremendously."

The 2014 fiscal year brought along not only two unit awards, but two individual USAFE-level awards as well. Master Sgt. Royce Kerbow, 39th ABW CP senior controller, won the Command Post Unit-Level Senior NCO of the Year award and Airman 1st Class Phillip McHugh, 39th ABWCP controller, won the Command Post Unit-Level Airman of the Year award.

"The awards proved that hard work truly pays off. We actually landed command post of the year awards from two different commands," said Davis. "None of it would have been possible without the efforts and contributions that Master Sgt. Kerbow and Airman 1st Class McHugh gave to this office."

For one Airman, working at the 39th ABW command post has set her up for success for future assignments.

"I will be able to take what I learned from Incirlik AB, the CP, its personnel and leadership and apply that in the future," said Jones. "It's an ongoing experience that will help build my knowledge base through study and experience, and that knowledge base, will facilitate my ability to be ready when called to act, no matter the location."