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Laughlin XLer - Senior Airman Joshua Smith, 47th Operations Support Squadron

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  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Job title and unit: 47th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control journeyman

Why he XLed: He expertly handled an hour long runway closure by rerouting arrivals and expediting crash recovery. He created a route with zero mission impact through Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training airspace for two critical AirLIFE medical flights. Updated more than 130 quick-reference checklists and verified more than 425 references with the AFI, Air Education Training Command and local requirements. He also helped control a priority Border Patrol flight ensuring the safety of military aircraft while assisting law enforcement with arrest.

Hometown: Marquette, Mich.

Family: Jessica (wife)

Time at Laughlin: Two years

Time in military/civil service: Three years

Greatest accomplishment: Getting my certified tower operator certification

Hobbies: Playing guitar, video games and home improvement projects

Bad habit: Tapping my feet to a song in my head, everyone seems to hate that

Favorite movies: The Usual Suspects, Fight Club and Sleepers

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why: My great grandma, because I do not get to see her nearly enough.