Grand Forks Airman named "Node Site Coordinator of the Year"

Published Sept. 30, 2009
By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- After 10 months on station and 18 months time of service, an Airman from the 319th Communications Squadron was named the stateside "Node Site Coordinator of the Year" by the Defense Information System Agency.

Airman 1st Class Michael J. Roy was recognized for this accomplishment by Col. John E. Michel, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, on Sept. 29 during a wing stand-up meeting.

Airman Roy received the award during a Node Site Coordinator Conference Aug. 11 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., but was notified of the achievement about a month earlier. In addition, he was coined by Army Col. Randy Taylor, DISA commander, at the conference.

"I couldn't believe I had won an 'of the year' award," said Airman Roy. "This is my first duty station and I had only been here 10 months."

Others can't believe it either. Airman Roy has been asked several times how he won this award as an Airman.

"My supervisor is the other site coordinator but he was deployed at the time," said the Kansas City, Mo., native. "I just filled the role to the best of my ability."

Airman Roy was nominated by DISA for ensuring Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., is in accordance with authorized service interruptions for its various communications circuits as well as providing support to those circuits. DISA selected Airman Roy after checking more than 240 sites from across the United States.

"I didn't even know I was nominated until after they told me I won," said Airman Roy.