Let's Make This Year As Good as the Last One

  • Published
  • By Col. Michael J. Norton
  • EADS Commander
EADS had much to be proud of this past year.

Working 24/7, our Battle Control Center tracked and identified 78,727 tracks of interest, an average of 214 a day, or one every seven minutes.

While that's an impressive indicator of our operational tempo, it's the tip of the iceberg in terms of the work we do here. EADS answered 2,435 "no radio" calls from the FAA. We also assisted civilian agencies in a number of high-profile incidents, such as the disabled pilot from Rochester who overflew Cuban airspace and another who crashed off the Virginia coast. We also controlled and directed fighter escorts for a Canadian airliner after a bomb threat.

Every mission was conducted in a skilled, professional manner that did not go unnoticed. One of 2014's special highlights was the recognition of our staff's expertise at the highest levels of the Air National Guard. EADS personnel nearly swept the National Guard Bureau's Air Battle Management Command and Control awards, winning the Air Battle Manager, NCO, Airman and Crew of the Year categories. For good measure, Capt. Angela Hudson from our Canadian Detachment was named NORAD's Company Grade Officer of the Year and Tech. Sgt. Amy Ough was ANG's Honor Guard Member of the Year.

Annual Awards Banquet
Our Annual Awards Banquet is just around the corner. The banquet committee has put a great deal of effort into recognizing our outstanding members. See you there!

2015 Commander's Priorities

· Ensure the Sector can efficiently surge to meet contingency and wartime requirements. Recruiting more DSGs, as well as developing surge unit type codes (UTCs) and seeking augmentation from ACS units will be required for this effort.

· Recruit and retain the highest quality Airmen by making EADS the best place to work in the Mohawk Valley. The goal is to fill 100 percent of our authorized positions.
· Resolve the mismatch between medical requirements and medical resources. The recent visit from the Headquarters Air Force medical review team was a step in the right direction.

· Continually improve the unit climate. A new Unit Climate Council comprised of the Top 3, Junior Enlisted Club, DSGs, civilian and CGOs will help achieve this goal.

· Institutionalize a Strategic Planning Process. Led by our Strategic Planning Council, the goal is to identify and reinforce the things we do well, while developing a flexible structure that enables the creative thinking necessary to meet future challenges.

· Implement the recent organizational changes - activation of the 224 Air Defense Group and 224 Support Squadron, and re-designation of the Northeast Air Defense Squadron as the 224 ADS - with minimal mission impact.

· Implement the new Commander's Inspection Program (CCIP) in accordance with AFI 90-201.