SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
Senior Airman Cory
Laws, 80th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller and native of Boomer,
North Carolina, has been in the Air Force for three years and 10 months
and is the Support Airman of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for
the week of Dec. 13-19, 2016.
Most significant accomplishments:
- Enlisted into the U.S. Air Force, Feb. 2013
- Graduate, Basic Military Training, Apr. 2013
- Graduate, Air Traffic Control Technical Training, Jan. 2013
- Certified Air Traffic Controller, Dec. 2014
- Sergeants of ENJJPT Outstanding Performance Award, 2015
- 80th OSS Wizard One Award, 2015
- 80th Flying Training Wing Safety Well Done Award, Jan.
2016
- Certified Control Tower Operator, Oct. 2016
- Air Traffic Controller of the Quarter, Jul. – Oct. 2016
Airman’s story:
“I was born at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne,
Wyoming, where my dad was stationed during his term of service in the Air Force,”
Laws said. “When I was a one-year-old, my dad, mom, sister, and I moved to
North Carolina to be with family members.”
“I grew up in a small farming community called Boomer, North
Carolina,” he said. “With a population of only a thousand, there weren’t very many
job opportunities, so I decided to join the Air Force right after High School. I
was lucky enough to receive the job I wanted most: air traffic controller. After
basic training, I spent the next four months at Keesler Air Force Base in
Biloxi, Mississippi, to complete my technical training.
“I was assigned to Sheppard radar approach control in July
of 2013,” Laws continued. “During my time here at Sheppard, I have managed to
obtain my RAPCON certifications as well as my control tower operator certification
– a rarity within my field to have dual certifications.”
“I met my wife, who is also an air traffic controller, in
the Air Force,” he said. “Together we have a beautiful six-month-old son who
keeps me busy the majority of the time at home. I owe a huge ‘Thank you’ to all
my past and present mentors who have helped me get to this point in my life. I
also owe thanks to my father as the main influence behind my decision to invest
in a career within the Air Force.”
Supervisor comments:
“Senior Airman Laws
constantly seeks out ways to build and improve the air traffic control program,
which controls 152,000 flights annually for the 80th Flying Training Wing,” said
Tech. Sgt. Cory Slane, senior watch supervisor. “He is currently the only fully certified airman in both the radar approach
control and control tower facilities. Senior Airman Laws also performs on-the-job
training for individuals who are not yet certified. By utilizing simulation,
live and classroom environments, Laws has conducted more than 200 hours
training with at least 12 controllers. All of these accomplishments have
contributed to more than 15 position certifications and two skill-level
upgrades, a remarkable amount and a testament to his dedication to the Air Force.”