36th CAB Soldier Awarded 2017 Air Traffic Controller of the Year

Photo By Capt. Penelope Haussler | Staff Sgt. Alvin Long with Col. Mark Beckler, commander of the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Amy National Guard, after Long was awarded the Army Aviation Association of America 2017 Air Traffic Controller of the Year award. The award is presented annually to a selected air traffic controller who has performed or contributed commendably to air traffic control during the awards period. (U.S. Army National Guard Courtesy Photo)  

AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

02.28.2018

Story by Capt. Penelope Haussler 

36th Combat Aviation Brigade (36th ID, TXARNG)

The Army Aviation Association of America awarded Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Alvin Long, an air traffic controller with 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, 36th Infantry Division, the 2017 Air Traffic Control Controller of the Year Award during an awards dinner held during the Army Aviation Senior Leader Conference at Fort Rucker, Ala., on Jan. 31, 2018.
According to the official award citation, Long’s direction and leadership in nonconventional tactical air traffic services provided “over 5,000 individual aircraft movements and 300 cargo air drops in addition to supporting multiple parachute jumps and special operations training exercises.”
Long acted as the Landing Zone Mobile Tower System Facility Chief and Examiner in a northern Iraq airfield. There, he was instrumental to the success of introducing the first ever tactical employment of the tower system into a combat environment, providing direct support to the Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment.
Long oversaw a range of aircraft movements to include: unmanned aircraft systems, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, assault, lift and direct strike assets conducting multiple combat missions in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The Air Traffic Controller of the Year award recognized Long for his talent and drive, however, he credits his success to his team.
"It is truly and Honor to be awarded. However, it is only because I had an amazing team that wanted to work and do things right,” said Long. “I have had the best mentors and a leadership that you want to work for. Plus, none of this would even be possible if I didn’t have the support and strength of my wife Juliet. This award is a testament to all of them."
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• Date Taken: 02.28.2018
• Date Posted: 02.28.2018 12:43
• Story ID: 267556
• Location: AUSTIN, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: AUSTIN, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: DALLAS, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: EL PASO, TEXAS, US
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• Hometown: GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, US
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• Hometown: WACO, TEXAS, US