Junior Sailor Supervises AATCC

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, AT SEA

03.27.2016

Courtesy Story

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeanette Mullinax
USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

AT SEA - The safe and smooth launching and recovering of aircraft on a floating landing strip relies significantly on the coordination of several operational work centers within the ship. Each center has its key members that take on added responsibilities, regardless of their rank.

Air Traffic Controlman 2nd Class Corey Davis, from Goodland, Kan., concludes his final float aboard forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as an Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center (AATCC) Supervisor.

The AATCC Supervisor of an amphibious assault ship is designated by the commanding officer and is responsible for the overall functioning of AATCC during flight operations.

His positional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, ensuring the proper manning and qualifications of AATCC personnel, the operability of equipment, the accuracy of status boards, coordination with other work centers, and the active oversight of the center especially during flight operations. Davis completed the extensive qualification process to become AATCC supervisor, which has been an exceptional position for few junior Sailors in AATCC.

A new member to Bonhomme Richard’s AATCC crew, Air Traffic Controlman 1st Class Devaye Kelley said, “AC2 Davis was the only E-5 supervisor of this float; a position that is normally held by E-6 and above. From the start of the underway, he has been the cornerstone element within AATCC; never straying from a task and having the most challenging schedule in AATCC.”

Being an air traffic controller is demanding in itself. However, despite the added duties, Davis has taken charge as a young supervisor within his rate with an assured mentality.
“It just depends on how you look at it,” said Davis. “You got to have the right perspective.”

His outlook has enabled him to accomplish as much as he has during his time onboard BHR, while still keeping him grounded. For annual training, Davis returns to the same building where he attended ‘A’ school. There he shares his experience with future AC’s in training.

“Telling an airman that they can go to a ship just as what they are now, and make it out a dual-qualled second class, it blows their mind,” he said.

Davis has managed to exceed his own expectations as part of an integral operations team. “I never thought I’d be able to do that. I definitely thought I’d get to the ship, and I’d hope to make third before I left and get as many qualifications before I left. It blows my mind the amount I’ve learned on this ship actually.”

Davis shared how air traffic control training provided the foundation for his rate, but on-the-job training taught him how to adapt to different situations that may arise.

“You got to be able to think on your feet,” said Davis. “There’s all kinds of training, and there’s so many rules, but there’s always different ways to do everything. We’re always trying to find better ways to get it done.”

Kelley said that Davis was instrumental in the safe and expeditious movement of over 1,300 flight operations in support of the combined amphibious exercise Ssang Yong 2016 (SY16), supervising 715 hours of amphibious aviation control operations and overcoming airspace constraints and equipment degradations.

“He is undoubtedly the current resident ‘subject matter expert,’” said Kelley. “He is unmatched at any task, and it will not be an easy task replacing his knowledge and can-do attitude.”

With an attitude that resonates within the center, he passes on his drive to succeed. “As long as you just keep that drive wherever you go next, you’re good to go,” said Davis. “If you get stuck in one spot, it gets really hard to keep moving up.”

Davis leads by example through his personal and professional development at this command, and he encourages other junior Sailors to maintain their motivation. “Keep it positive. There’s always ways to keep it positive. There are a lot of people out there that might try to drag you down and be miserable, but there’s no use for that. I mean: we’re young. We’re out here to see the world and learn our jobs.”

As AATCC supervisor in a small division made up of only 14 Sailors, Davis led 11 E-5-and-below crew members during his final underway period as a BHR Sailor.

Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is forward-deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation.


For more information about Bonhomme Richard visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ussbhr.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.

• Date Taken: 03.27.2016
• Date Posted: 03.27.2016 18:01
• Story ID: 193620
• Location: USS BONHOMME RICHARD, AT SEA