Air Combat Command trophy goes to Nellis master sergeant

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Aug. 31, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

"Sortie generation operations" may seem like techno-talk, but the phrase sums up the heart and soul of the mission of the air Force.

"Sortie generation" is one aircraft completing one takeoff, one mission and one landing. The sortie is the production widget of the Air Force.

It's no small accomplishment, therefore, to win Air Combat Command's Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Trophy, which recognizes senior noncommissioned officers and officers for outstanding contributions to sortie generation operations.

This year's winner, chosen by ACC officials from candidates nominated throughout ACC's 24 flying organizations assigned at 20 different U.S. bases, is Master Sgt. Alfonso Smiley of Nellis Air Force Base.

Smiley is the lead production superintendent at Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Flight and supports sortie generation by directing and controlling the maintenance planning and production of 21 F-15C fighters, Sgt. Gayle Barajas, a Nellis spokeswoman, said.

Smiley was nominated by his unit, which improved its sortie production rate by 125 percent over the previous year. Smiley was chosen "because of his dedication to making essential missions of ACC's 53rd and 57th Wings happen despite obstacles," said his boss, Capt. Scott Shacklett, officer in charge of Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Flight.

Guard commissions a dozen

The Nevada Army National Guard commissioned 12 second lieutenants this month at ceremonies in Las Vegas. Now wearing shiny new gold bars are Peter Beckett, Scott Bossie, David Fish, Todd Hine, Daniel McKenzie, Matthew Swanson and Wendall Terry, all of Las Vegas.

Also taking the oath as new officers were Jacqueline DeSilva of Boulder City, Walter Murrey and Christian Wilson of Reno and Michael Shearin and Lance Yamashita of Sparks.

It takes 18 months of rigorous and challenging training to earn a commission in the Nevada Army National Guard. The training includes both classroom and field exercises with emphasis on leadership skills.

"These new officers will make a big impact when they take charge in leadership position in the Guard," Capt. Terry Conder, personnel officer for Nevada's Regional Training Institute, said.

Air Force, CAP sign new pact

The Air Force and Civil Air Patrol recently signed a new cooperative agreement that will increase Air Force oversight of the volunteer civilian auxiliary, according to the August issue of Air Force Policy Letter Digest.

The signing of the agreement culminated months of negotiations between Air Force and CAP leaders and outlines several specific terms, including enforcement and termination procedures; financial responsibilities; claims and appeals; program performance reports; and certifications and assurances.

The Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, which conducts search and rescue operations, aerospace education and youth leadership training, has three groups Southern Nevada -- Nellis, Henderson and Clark County squadrons -- as well as groups in Reno and Lake Tahoe.

The agreement goes into effect Oct. 1.