Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa | Staff Sgt. Paul Anderson with the Florida Army National Guard's 2-111th Aviation...... read more read more
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STARKE, Fla. – A Florida National Guard Soldier is being recognized by the Army Aviation community for his diligence in making sure helicopters are able to land safely during combat or domestic operations.
Staff Sgt. Paul Anderson with the 2-111th Aviation Regiment’s Airfield Operations Battalion has been selected as the Army Aviation Association of America’s “Air Traffic Control Technician of the Year” for 2014.
As an Air Traffic Control System Maintenance supervisor based at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Anderson heads a team of four other Soldiers who are responsible for ensuring the unit’s airfield equipment is always ready and operable. This high-dollar and highly technical equipment is critical for safe Army airfield operations, especially when lives are at stake on the battlefield or during aviation support missions after natural disasters.
Anderson said he is honored by the accolades, but credits the Soldiers he supervises at the 2-111th for helping him earn the recognition.
“I can’t take all of the credit for this,” Anderson said. “This is definitely not me alone, it is for our team. ... They are very competent and they are quick learners. I just try to instill the ability to take the initiative."
Anderson, who is originally from Guyana, joined the Florida Army National Guard in 2006 and is one of the few dual-status technicians trained in his air traffic control (ATC) systems maintenance specialty.
When the unit deployed to Kuwait in 2013, Anderson – a full-time Army technician – was instrumental in guiding a team that was responsible for the maintenance of $8.6 million of ATC systems.
“Staff Sgt. Anderson and his team did an outstanding job on that deployment by keeping all of our ATC equipment ‘fully mission capable’ at three locations, 24/7, for the duration of the deployment,” 2-111th Aviation Regiment’s Airfield Operations Battalion commander, Lt. Col. William Bradley, said of the 2013 mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Anderson was also lauded for his contributions to several domestic aviation exercises, but his award nomination highlighted his “untiring resolution for perfection” while maintaining the unit’s Air Traffic Navigation Integration and Coordination System (ATNAVICS). This mobile radar system can help guide a helicopter pilot safely onto an airfield, even if the pilot can’t see due to sandstorm or tropical storm conditions.
According to Anderson, a routine mission could turn deadly for helicopters and their crews if this equipment is not 100 percent operational.
“Being the only ATC in Florida, we have to maintain our equipment in case we are called up for any mission or operations,” Anderson explained.
Anderson said he was also especially proud of the distinction this award brings not just to the Florida National Guard, but the Army National Guard as a whole.
“I think it really shows how professional the National Guard is and how we are on-par with our active duty counterparts,” he added.
The Army Aviation Association of America will present the award to Anderson during a ceremony at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in February.
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2014 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 150677 |
| Location: | STARKE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 238 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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