NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. –
Tech. Sgt. Tiffani McLaughlin, a squadron aviation resource manager with the 451st Flying Training Squadron, was recently named the 2010 Outstanding Air Force Aviation Resource Manager of the Year.
McLaughlin arrived at the 451st FTS in January 2010, where she immediately began building the Squadron Aviation Resource Management office from the ground up - an effort that ensured the on-time launch of the Air Force's brand new Combat Systems Officer Training program at the 479th Flying Training Group at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
Over the course of that year, her skills and leadership were vital to the command and control of more than 2,400 sorties and more than 4,300 flight hours, all with zero discrepancies reported. She also led the squadron's conversion to the Training Integration Management System, training all 178 aircrew members on the system.
Additionally, McLaughlin cared for five new SARM Airmen who arrived in the 479th Flying Training Group by coordinating base housing and all the required furnishings to make sure they were not negatively impacted financially.
"From day one, Tech. Sgt. McLaughlin stood out," said Lt. Col. Timothy Moser, 451st FTS commander. "She quickly transformed our Aircrew Resource Management personnel and procedures into a well-oiled machine ready for the Unit Compliance Inspection in December. She and her team ensure we have the training, currency and proficiency to safely execute our mission each day."
McLaughlin, who until now had only won at the wing level when stationed at Luke Air Force Base, said she feels honored by the award.
"[SARM is] just something I'm passionate about. I just do my job," she said.
McLaughlin leads a team of four, including an assistant NCO in charge, one senior airman and two airmen first class.
"I couldn't do it without my team. If they weren't here, this wouldn't have happened," McLaughlin said. "I've never been somewhere where I can go on leave and not have to worry about what I'm coming back to."
McLaughlin also credits the SARM team from the 99th Flying Training Sqadron, the 451st FTS' sister T-1 squadron in the 12th Flying Training Wing. "They came down to Pensacola to teach us what was required on their airframes and so we could stand up our own program. They also looked at our program as we built it and told us what we
could do to make it better," she said, specifically crediting George Cruise, a SARM with
the 99th FTS.
"He came out to help and gave us feedback. Since we were just standing up the CSO program, we were minimumally manned. Things could have been missed, but he was an extra set of eyes and made sure we didn't miss anything."
SARMs work in flight records, keeping track of aircrew training, physicals and other records to ensure that aircrew members are safe to fly. They also track flying times, input flight plans and serve as a final check to make sure all other requirements have been met for safe and successful flight.
McLaughlin enlisted in the Air Force in 1998 and will mark 13 years of service in August. She is currently working toward a bachelor's degree in social psychology.