McConnell Airman wins A/TA award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  When Capt. Christopher R. MacDonald, 349th Air Refueling Squadron instructor pilot and 22nd Maintenance Group executive, recently received the General Robert "Dutch" Huyser award, he was surprised, not because he won the award, but because he was being individually recognized for the award.

The award, given by the Airlift/Tanker Association, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated superior leadership, made outstanding contributions to the airlift/tanker mission and provided invaluable service to their civilian communities. Their selection is recognized annually at the Air Mobility Symposium, co-sponsored by Air Mobility Command and the A/TA.

"I really feel that even though this is an individual award, a lot of people have to realize that it's not Captain MacDonald's award, it's really McConnell's because as a pilot I could not do my job without the culmination of the whole team," Captain MacDonald said.

The support that Captain MacDonald receives from his wife, Laura, was also instrumental in his success, he said.

"I'm really lucky that I have a spouse who works beside me," Captain MacDonald said. "In my first year alone, I was gone more than 300 days. Despite years of deployments and TDYs, Laura has always shown unwavering support. Without her, winning this award would not have been possible."

This idea of the total force award is also reflected in Captain MacDonald's career.

Though currently working as an executive in the 22nd MXG, Captain MacDonald began his career as enlisted Airman in 1996. After receiving his commission in 2003, he became a maintenance officer at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He then became a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, then an instructor pilot at McConnell.

Though assigned to the 22nd Operations Group, Captain MacDonald is one of three pilots currently working in the 22nd MXG. The chance to alternate between being a pilot and being a part of the maintenance group has provided Captain MacDonald a unique view of the Total Force mission at McConnell.

"One of the things I have been most fortunate in is that I've gotten to have two different perspectives on a lot of careers in the Air Force, I've been enlisted and an officer, a pilot and also gotten to work with maintainers," Captain MacDonald said. "This has allowed me to understand different aspects of the Air Force."

His work within the 22nd MXG has not gone unnoticed.

"In the relatively short time I've known [Captain MacDonald], I have seen how quickly he establishes himself in a new position and makes a difference," said Col. Allan Day, 22nd MXG commander. "It is truly an achievement to be selected as the best Mobility Air Forces pilot in a crowd of superior, hard charging peers, but I have seen [Captain MacDonald] work up close and I am not surprised at this accomplishment."

Along with admiration, Captain MacDonald has also earned the respect of his peers because of improvements he has made since joining the 22nd MXG.

"He has brought the customer perspective into the maintenance group because on a daily basis, we quickly resolve potential communication issues by using [Captain MacDonald] as a sounding board," said Colonel Day. "He has brought some new ideas for processing decorations and performance appraisals from the 22nd Operations Group, which serves to make our wing more standardized and effective and has made impacts across the board and -- we are truly better because of his time in our group."

Captain MacDonald will continue to broaden his Air Force career when he leaves in early December to complete C-130 Hercules training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

"He is one of the best [Company Grade Officers] I have had the pleasure of working with, and his ability to step into a brand new situation, accurately assess it and make improvements is just the type of characteristic we need in our future leaders," said Colonel Day. "Chris is destined to make a great impact in our Air Force."

Instead of focusing on his award, Captain MacDonald hopes his time at McConnell is reflected in the Airmen still stationed here.

"The instructor in me always wants to pass the torch and continue to teach people what I've learned from my experiences," Captain MacDonald said. "That way, we can all continue to grow and learn; making the Air Force that much stronger."

Captain MacDonald and his wife, will join other 2010 A/TA winners at the 42nd annual conference scheduled for Oct. 28-31 in Orlando, Fla.