Tech. Sgt. Susan R. Darby is the Mighty 97th's NCO of the Quarter

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tech. Sgt. Susan R. Darby, 97th Air Mobility Wing Command Post, NCO in charge of console operations, is the NCO of the Quarter here, July - September.

"I credit this award to long deployments. They give you plenty of time to work hard, volunteer and work on self improvements," Sergeant Darby said. "This was my first six-month deployment and I did it all."

While deployed to Baghdad, she led the busiest command post in her area of operation, directing command and control for 9,900 sorties, 450,000 passengers, 18,000 distinguished visitors and 2.2 million pounds of ammunition and cargo being delivered.

Sergeant Darby oversaw the dispatch of explosive ordinance disposal personnel for 25 outside-the-gate missions, destroying 350 pounds of high explosives with zero injuries. She also coordinated the arrivals and departures for 350 no-notice medical evacuation missions, saving 1,300 coalition casualties. She maintained positive control of C-17 hazardous cargo, including transportation of 18 pallets of rockets and 25,000 pounds of warheads. She led the response to a rocket propelled grenade attack on two HH-60 helicopters during a medical evacuation, saving five aircrew members.

Also while deployed to Baghdad Sergeant Darby became a member of an Iraqi Women's English group, providing 30 Iraqi women with 120 hours of language training. She also spent 62 hours volunteering to help the United Service Organizations support 17,371 troops.

"Getting recognized for any award is always nice," Sergeant Darby said. "It's nice to know when all your hard work is appreciated."

Not only did Sergeant Darby work to improve her work environment but she also worked to improve herself. She completed three hours toward her Community College of the Air Force Criminal Justice degree, while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. She also focused on physical training, losing 25 pounds and reducing her body mass by 14 percent. She also slashed 1 minute off of her 1.5 mile run for the Air Force physical fitness index test.

"My saying is, 'what comes around goes around,'" Sergeant Darby said. "So give generously and your return will be great."

Sergeant Darby joined the Air Force in May 1994. She has been command and control for all 16 years of her career. She has been stationed at Minot AFB, N.D., Araxous, Greece, Eglin AFB, Fla. and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. She arrived here in June 2008. She returned from a six-month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq August 2010.

"My parents were both in the Navy and through their great upbringing and great examples I have become the person I am today," Sergeant Darby said.