Senior sergeant recognized by command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terrica Jones
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Editor's note: On Friday, June 25, Senior Master Sgt. Bates was named at the Air Force level as the 2009 Outstanding United States Air Force Air Reserve Component  Aircrew Flight Equipment Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year. Read her story below from when she won at the Air Force Reserve Command level. Congratulations Sergeant Bates!


Leadership is nothing new to Dana Bates.

In just a few years time, she's led the wing in a number of social events to include a combat dining-in and an upcoming dining out to recognize the 916th Air Refueling Wing's newest non-commissioned officers. She is also active with the Top 3, the airlift tanker association and several other groups.

But what you may not see is that she isn't just a leader in organizing wing events, she's a leader in her career field too. And recently the command took notice.

Senior Master Sgt. Dana L. Bates, 916th Operations Support Squadron superintendent, received the Air Force Reserve Command Aircrew Flight Equipment Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year 2009 award at Robins AFB, Ga.

"Senior Master Sgt. Bates epitomizes what it is to be a senior enlisted "leader" in today's Air Force," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Greg Nelson of the 916th ARW. "Not only does she live by the Air Force Core Values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, she truly believes that being the role model for mentoring as well as living the wingman culture will make our Air Force stronger."

Her contributions to the wing and the command are significant. She rejuvenated the flight's use of Cost Per Flying Hour program saving more than $500,000. She prepared approximately 70 personnel and eight aircraft for the 916th mobilization to enable global contingency operations in combat, and she instructed roughly 60 aircrew personnel through realistic combat scenarios, which provided skills for evading and surviving captivity.

Sergeant Bates led a chemical decontamination area for Operational Readiness Inspection preparation for 12 crews making the wing ready for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contingency.

But serving her home station is just part of the story, she's also donated excess Aircrew Flight Equipment assets to the AFE Technical School at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and is an instructor who has attended additional Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training to help increase the crews' combat ability to survival. Not to mention she augments Air Mobility Command's Inspector General team.

Work isn't all the senior sergeant is known for though. She volunteers at local soup kitchens and supports the Meals on Wheels program. She is also an active member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter while at the same time pursuing her master's degree in Arts from Central Michigan University.

"Leadership of this caliber will always rise to the forefront of Air Force awards programs," said Chief Nelson. "This award is well deserved and please continue the excellent performance the members of the 916th have grown to respect and cherish."