America's AOC wins prestigious First Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jared Scott
  • 601st AOC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 601st Air and Space Operations Center here was recently named the First Air Force Outstanding Command and Control Unit for 2010 for its involvement in two of the largest disaster recovery efforts in United States history.

"2010 marked a big year for America's AOC, facing new challenges like the earthquake in Haiti and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico," said Col. Randy Spear, 601st AOC commander. "No matter what the task at hand, America's AOC was prepared to take on the challenge."

On Jan. 12, 2010, an earthquake hit the small island nation of Haiti. Port-au-Prince's main seaport was destroyed and most roadways were left impassible, leaving the Toussaint Louverture International runway the only access to provide relief to the Haitian people.

With the airfield's control tower destroyed and a huge increase in aircraft arriving from around the globe to provide desperately needed supplies, the runway at the airport quickly became unmanageable.

The 601st AOC Air Mobility Division was able to create and provide an airflow management plan allowing the small airport that normally sees an average of 25 flights per day to accommodate approximately 130-175 flights per day during relief operations.

"Before the AOC stepped in to support relief operations there were literally hundreds of aircraft headed to Port-au-Prince," said Col. Brad Graff, 601st AOC AMD chief. "That influx in air traffic resulted in many of those aircraft being diverted to other airfields due to lack of ramp space. Twenty-four hours after we took the helm the number of aircraft diversions were drastically reduced to virtually zero."

By Jan. 30, 2010, more than 13,800 American citizens had been evacuated, 18,346 passengers relocated, and 9,712 short tons of cargo and supplies delivered.

Relief efforts in Haiti proved to be just the beginning of 2010 for the AOC, and provided valuable experience for what lay ahead.

Following the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, senior Department of Defense and Homeland Security officials decided to centralize airspace management operations in the 601st AOC.

The Joint Aviation Coordination Command was created to ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft in the temporary flight restriction area over the gulf. Air operations Center personnel provided crucial airspace expertise enabling 17 federal agencies to identify, skim and burn millions of gallons of oil. During response operations the TFR saw several hundred aircraft a day and covered 20,000 square miles.

"The decision to move the Joint Aviation Coordination Command to the AOC made sense," said Colonel Spear. "Centralizing airspace operations at the AOC allowed the JACC to de-conflict flight schedules of aircraft operating in the TFR, ensuring maximum coverage and safety with minimum overlap of effort. The airspace management expertise at this AOC, along with the ability to access shared databases, common operating pictures and full motion video, had a huge impact on response operations."

The 601st AOC's Intelligence & Reconnaissance Division worked closely with the ACC director, providing him satellite imagery to help locate surface slicks, recover spewing oil, and minimize environmental impacts.

The AOC also provided the air defense support to seven special security events in 2010, including the State of the Union Address, Super Bowl XLIV, United Nations General Assembly, Nuclear Security Summit and three space shuttle missions.

"America's AOC is home to some of the sharpest members the military has to offer," said Chief Master Sgt. Lynn Boop, 601st AOC chief enlisted manager. "In this AOC there is no such thing as a typical mission; each mission presents a new set of challenges, which we consistently overcome and conquer. Whether it's coordinating ramp times in Haiti, providing imagery to first responders, resolving airspace issues over a disaster area or flying air patrols on Super Bowl Sunday, the men and women of this organization will not falter, and we will not fail!"

The 601st AOC is responsible for detecting, deterring, defending and if necessary, defeating any aviation threat to the citizens of the continental United States and to U.S. critical infrastructure.

Along with this award, several AOC members received numerous awards and high accolades for exemplary performance, including the 2010 Air Force Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award and several best practice awards.

"There were several deserving units, including the Eastern and Western Air Defense Sectors, up for this award who all demonstrated meritorious service over the normal call of duty," said Colonel Spear. "The men and women of America's AOC have worked very hard this past year and award or no award, I am extremely proud of the job they do every day."

The 1st Air Force Outstanding Command and Control Unit for 2010 award was presented to AOC leadership at the 2011 First Air Force Annual Awards Banquet held here Feb. 24.

For more information on America's AOC and its mission, visit www.facebook.com/AmericasAOC and become a fan today.