MacDill Airman wins A/TA Young Leader award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ned T. Johnston
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Each year the Airlift/Tanker Association recognizes 12 individuals Air Force-wide who stood out from their peers, demonstrated superior leadership and made outstanding contributions to the mission within the airlift/tanker community -- This year, one of MacDill's very own aviation resource management Airmen made the cut.

Master Sgt. Patrick Gray works for the 91st Air Refueling Squadron on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. As an aviation resource management specialist, Gray maintains daily flight mission data to indicate the statuses of each flight, validates that the aircrew have met all requirements before authorizing them to fly, assists with scheduling, and monitors flying hours for the aircrew and the aircraft.

With all of that and more on his plate, Gray also stepped up and took on additional tasks throughout the year.

"I was the interim squadron superintendent for two months this year," said Gray. "I led 120 members, which is 11 sections in the 91st, and I sent 18 Airmen downrange in that timeframe. I also filled in as the 6th Operations Group first sergeant."

And Gray didn't stop there. He authored a technical order that became the standard for both the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing on MacDill. He also revamped an aviation resource management training course syllabus, which affected everyone in his career field.

"With a year like that, it was easy writing an award package for sergeant Gray," said Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Cobb, 91st ARS superintendent. "In fact, it was the easiest award I ever had to write because of how involved master sergeant Gray is; his leadership and impact stretch far beyond the squadron, but to the wing, MAJCOM and headquarters Air Force.

I'm excited to see him recognized for his actions, and I'm proud to lead with sergeant Gray on a daily basis and to be a part of this amazing accomplishment."

Gray will be honored at an award ceremony in Orlando, Florida, with the other 11 Airmen selected as the A/TA Young Leader Award winners later this year.

When asked how he felt about winning the award, Gray said he "couldn't have done it without everyone in the 91st," and that he's still in shock that his name was on the list, because he "was just doing what [he] saw needed to be done."