Mr. Douglas Winters, Altus AFB Award Winner!

Published May 7, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla -- Mr. Douglas Winters is the Senior Level Civilian Quarterly Award winner for Altus AFB, 1st Quarter 2010.

"We must do what we can to ensure these performers are recognized for their superb efforts, using the 'whole person' concept as a template," said Chief Master Sergeant Eric Molloy, 97th Air Mobility Wing command chief.

Winters, 97th Operations Support Squadron Chief of Airspace Management discovered two unpublished hazards in eight low-level route surveys; his prompt notification protected both aircraft and their crews. He also devised procedures for high-altitude airdrops at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.; this facilitated aircrew training for 2100 students, making them ready for real-world, wartime operations. And by championing the expansion of Altus AFB airspace with Fort Worth Center executives, he acquired 60 square miles for future mission use.

"I'm thankful to all the people I work with on a daily basis and to my supervisors who give me total autonomy to do whatever I need to do to get the job done," said Winters. "Just makes my life and job a lot easier."

In addition to his leadership and job performance, Winters shows significant self-improvement and community involvement in his Civil Air Patrol activities. Graduating with five hours of counter-drug interdiction course work, he plays a crucial role in prosecuting the drug war in Oklahoma. His transition into the new position as CAP Air Operations Branch Director puts him in the leadership of the CAP staff.

Winters graduated high school in Fort Worth, TX from Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS, and still has family in the Fort Worth area. He is prior service, having enlisted in the Air Force in 1981. Winters holds a Federal Aviation Administration commercial license with over 1700 hours flying time.

Winters said if you focus on the job, credit for the work you do will be given."I have been blessed with great leadership in my squadron who recognize the work I do for the Wing. If you're doing your job and you do it well, other people will see that. Recognition will come."

Winters, along with the other quarterly award winners, are set to compete for the base annual awards.