ACC Airmen win Air Traffic Controllers of the Year back-to-back

by Senior Airman Christopher Reel
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/18/2013 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., – For the second year in a row, Air Combat Command Airmen at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., earned the Air Force’s Air Traffic Controller of the Year Award.

Not only is this year’s recipient from the 325th OSS, but his trainer was last year’s award recipient. Senior Airman Justin Loranger, 325th OSS air traffic controller, is the 2012 Air Force ATC award recipient. The Forest Grove, Ore. native and Forest Grove High School graduate joined the Air Force in August 2009.

“I think back to when he first arrived at Tyndall, not having a clue about air traffic control and now being awarded Air Traffic Controller of the Year for the United States Air Force, which is a tremendous honor,” said Staff Sergeant Jamerson Watts, now 14th OSS control tower watch supervisor, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. and the 2011 Air Force Air Traffic Controller of the Year award recipient. “I will have to admit is also makes it very proud that he won this award just one year after I won it.”

Individuals recieve the annual award for showing they can not only be proficient performing their work responsibilities, but also go above and beyond of what is expected of them.

Air traffic controllers help keep pilots and aircraft safe. It is their job to talk to the pilots and to ensure continuity of flight patterns of designated air space as well as ensure air craft area able to land and take off.

“Before I joined the Air Force I was working construction and a family member was an air traffic controller and talked me into [it],” Airman Loranger said. “I wasn’t joining unless I could do that job, it is the only job I’d ever want to do.”

“Shortly after Loranger arrived at Tyndall, I could tell he had a lot of potential to be exceptional at this career field,” said Sergeant Watts. “He has more drive and competitiveness than most Airmen, which is a must with air traffic control. Like any other air traffic controller in training there were ups and downs, but he kept his head up and kept leaning forward. It was the training team that made him what he is. Each member of the team has a lot of time invested in each trainee and without one person on the team we wouldn’t have excellent air traffic controllers like Senior Airman Loranger.”

Airman Loranger earned both his control tower operator and radar approach controller, or RAPCON, qualifications, quicker than most Airmen in training, which aids the unit by setting a training standard and increasing management flexibility.

“Once we reach our qualifications for RAPCON or the tower, it is up to the individual to stay on top of learning and keep certifications current,” Airman Loranger said. “When working radar approach control, we have a unique mission here at the wing. Two-thirds of the aircraft we work with are civilian traffic out of the local airport traveling to Atlanta, Ga.; Orlando, Fla.; or Houston, Texas.”

Air traffic controllers go through continuous on-the-job training.

“We put our apprentice air traffic controllers through a very challenging training program that teaches them to make split second decisions with confidence,” Senior Master Sgt. Mark McCann, 325th OSS control tower chief controller. “We are blessed with a great group of professionals at Tyndall who take pride in what they do. We expect nothing less than the best from our controllers, and they validate our program by consistently exceeding the standards.When a controller earns a Tyndall certification, they know that they are trained and equipped to succeed anywhere.”

Air traffic controllers, like all Airmen, get out of their careers what they put into it, explained Airman Loranger.

“I am always studying the books,” he added. “Regulations are constantly changing, and controllers always need to stay up to date. Once a controller is certified, the learning is in their hands.”

Air traffic controllers are constantly training throughout their careers and at any time can be “washed-out” or let go from the job. Aside from training, air traffic controllers work six to eight hour shifts continuously, with little to no breaks.

“Airman Loranger has been a positive asset to our facility, squadron and the wing since the day he first arrived at Tyndall,” said Sergeant McCann. “He excelled in training by always giving 100 percent effort, being receptive to constructive criticisms and refusing to give in to the challenges that he faced. His dual facility certifications are proof that his approach towards his profession has not changed. He always demands excellence from himself, which makes the unit around him better.”