Col. Richoux gets a close-up look at 6th OG - 'In the fight' every day Published July 30, 2010 MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- One of 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander Col. Lenny Richoux's recent official visits was to the 6th AMW Operations Group. In addition to mission-specific duties, members of the "ops group" routinely are called upon for special duties in times of crisis, including one Tech Sgt. Charles Holbert, tasked on very short notice. The following is the deployed experience of sergeant Holbert, who is supporting the Deepwater Horizon oil spill operation -- as told to Col. Richoux: Tech Sgt. Charles Holbert, an Air Traffic Controller from the 6th Operations Support Squadron, is currently deployed to the 601st Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) at Tyndall AFB, Florida, where he is serving as a combat airspace manager in support of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Sergeant Holbert was tasked to deploy with two days notice and was part of the initial cadre that stood up the airspace cell in the 601st AOC to support the oil spill clean-up effort. He is responsible for deconflicting airspace activity over a 20,000 square mile temporary flight restriction area or TFR. On any given day, Sergeant Holbert deconflicts up to 135 various aircraft to include fish and oil spotters, banner towers, boom operators, spray flights, oil platform helicopters, media representatives, general aviation pilots, state and federal participants, and military aircraft. Sergeant Holbert's work at the 601st AOC ensures the safety of all aircraft flying in the affected area by ensuring the flights are FAA compliant and they are provided a safe, manageable environment in which to operate.