Senior Airman Donald Smith, Altus AFB Below-the-Zone winner!

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Leandra D. Hernandez
  • 97 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
June 15, 2010 --  ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Senior Airman Donald Smith is the winner of the 97th Communications Squadron senior Airman below-the-zone promotion.

According to the Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241, Airmen 1st class may compete for early advancement to senior Airmen if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria. If promoted to senior Airman BTZ, their promotion effective date would be six months before their fully qualified date.

"My supervisor's leadership." said Airman Smith when asked what he credits his awards to.

According to his nomination package, Airman Smith is a Network Operations Journeyman for the 97th Communications Squadron. He created the Share Point server management tracker which is used to track the history of maintenance performances, and found a more efficient way to fix servers when needed. His creation was a contribution to the first squadron "Excellent" in 10 years during the 2009 Unit Compliance Inspection.

Among other achievements, Airman Smith led the validation of 103 Secret Internet Protocol Router Networks, 30 days ahead of the Air Education and Training Command timeline. He also constructed a patch repository (central location) for the SIPRNet reducing the risk of cyber attacks. During the Ice Storm of 2010, Airman Smith restored over 80 network devices, enabling wing leadership all network operations to be in command and control within two hours.

Airman Smith completed 32 semester hours toward Information System Technology Community College of the Air Force degree as well as conducted 25 regional details for Altus AFB Blue Knights Honor Guard.

"Make sure you go out and volunteer." said Airman Smith, "It takes more than just your job to win BTZ."

Airman Smith is from Quinlan, Texas, where he still has family; he graduated from Boles High School and is married to Amber Smith of Caddo Mills, Texas. Airman Smith enjoys sports, hiking, hunting and fishing.

Airman Smith promoted to senior Airman July 5.