EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert Norris, the 354th Operations Support Squadron airfield operations flight commander, received the 2019 Colonel Darrel L. Dempsey Airfield Operations Officer of the Year award.

The award recognizes airfield operations officers who contribute to an outstanding degree, their services, ideas, developments, or accomplishments in their career field.

“As an airfield operations flight commander, I am responsible for leading 44 personnel where I manage $21 million in facilities and equipment,” said Norris. “This enables us to maintain 22 thousand flying operations per year on the Air Force’s third longest runway.”

The award criteria includes the establishment of rapport between the flying organizations and the airfield operations flight, developing innovative facility or system management techniques, and introducing procedures that significantly improve the quality, safety or efficiency of airfield operations.

“I manage eight airfield construction projects worth $151 million for flying operations and 68 higher headquarter-directed alert missions,” said Norris.

Norris also led his team to numerous awards in 2019 including Best Air Traffic Control Tower, Best Airfield Management Operations Facility and Best Airfield Management Training Achievement.

“Capt. Norris has an innate ability to see projects through and get the mission done,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Wynn, the 354th Fighter Wing advanced programs chief. “That has helped him ensure the success of his unit and built up the expectation of success for his outstanding group of Airmen. As a result, the members of his flight continue to improve themselves and their processes.”

Norris credits a lot of his success and drive to his family and support system at home.

“Having a solid support system is integral to success, and especially so in my case. Not only through my family at home, but the Iceman team,” said Norris “I continue to be inspired to pursue opportunities and challenges, and am exceedingly grateful to be in the position I am in. It is because of this outstanding support system at Eielson I can confidently say that the 354 Fighter Wing is poised to continue achieving unimaginable heights for years to come.”