Command Post sergeants receive top Air Force awards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius V. Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Two 31st Fighter Wing Command Post sergeants proved they are the best of the best in the Air Force as they received 2009 Command Post Annual Awards recently.

Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Garcia, 31st FW Command Post superintendent, received the Command Post Unit-Level Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award, while Master Sgt. Shane Hickman, CP Systems and Support noncommissioned officer in charge, won the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year honor.

"All of our Command Post controllers work extremely hard each and every day, and it is an honor to have two of our topnotch individuals recognized at the Air Force level for their contributions to the mission," said Maj. Kimberly Moncrieffe, 31st FW Command Post chief. "Sergeants Garcia and Hickman were vital to the Command Post's success during an unprecedented operations tempo of 33 inspections, evaluations and exercises supporting (Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Air Forces Europe) and NATO."

In 2009, Sergeant Garcia received the 31st FW Senior NCO of the Quarter, Command Post's Senior NCO of the Year and NATO Evaluation Team Chief. He guided the 31st FW Strike Evaluation, teaching NATO operations to group and squadron commanders and 45 Emergency Operations Center representatives. Assuming the superintendent position, he set stringent policies and tools for a $28,000 budget. He spearheaded a 10-day command and control training for 10 Ohio Air National Guard Command Post Airmen, aiding in critical upgrade training.

As part of Sergeant Garcia's self-improvement, he graduated from the Senior NCO Academy and earned 15 credit hours. He tackled nine credit-hours towards his Bachelors of Science in Emergency Management degree. In addition, he dedicated 104 hours to Alabama school beautification project and Aviano Field Day.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Hickman was recognized three times as the Command Post NCO of the Quarter, Wing Staff Agency NCO of the Quarter and the 2009 CP NCO of the Year. He created the first-ever emergency plan for a NATO system, guaranteeing survivability of the Wing's sole capability. The sergeant identified and corrected Strategic Automated Command and Control System upgrade equipment issues. During a three-day NATO Command Post Exercise, he was the sole controller dispatching Command Post teams and channeling 55 messages.

In 2009, Sergeant Hickman completed 10 credit hours toward his Community College of the Air Force degree. He was the Wing Staff Agency Combined Federal Campaign coordinator. In addition, he was also an Air Force Sergeants Association recruiter, promoting AFSA participation at Right Start.

"Their superior efforts were key to the Command Post receiving the USAFE IG Team Award of Excellence for the Surety Inspection, the USAFE 'Pat on the Back' teamwork award and NATO's highest rating during the Strike Evaluation," Major Moncrieffe said. "As the wing commander's executive agents for Command and Control and focal point during daily operations, emergencies, contingencies and increased readiness conditions, Sergeants Garcia and Hickman have demonstrated tenacious teamwork and exceptional leadership. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments."