LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Recently, two 47th Communications Squadron members were recognized at the Air Education and Training Command level for their outstanding performance.
Senior Airman Daniel Clouse, cyber transport technician, was named the Air Force Outstanding Cyber Systems Airman while Senior Airman Cody Sparks, knowledge manager, was named Air Force Outstanding Cyber Operations Airman.
Previously stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, Clouse has only been at Laughlin for four months. While in Guam, Clouse was critical to the 36th CS being named “Air Force’s Best Small Communications Squadron of 2014.”
As a computer hobbyist, Clouse found his niche as a cyber transport technician in the 47th CS, where his unit maintains the base’s vast communications infrastructure.
“We are here to ensure that each computer port is secure and all vulnerabilities within the system are identified and patched,” said Clouse.
“Immediately after arriving on station, Senior Airman Clouse dug into several projects that are critical to the maintenance of our network,” said Tech. Sgt. Samuel Bush, 47th CS assistant NCO in charge of cyber transport. “That and his excellent service to the 36th CS made him a fantastic candidate for this award.”
Sparks, hailing from Bonne Terre, Missouri, has been at Laughlin for over four years. As a husband and the father of a 1-year-old girl, Sparks has made it his mission to be a top performer inside and outside the office.
Each day, Sparks’ unit is responsible for the upkeep of collaboration tools such as Microsoft Outlook and the proper handling of the entire base’s digital data. All of this data must be securely stored and accessible to network users.
“Laughlin would be incapable of completing its primary mission of graduating the world’s best pilots without the tools that the 47th CS maintains,” said Sparks.
Within his unit, Sparks is seen as a leader and a mentor, winning the John L. Levitow Award for his exceptional performance at Airmen Leadership School.
“I feel honored that my leadership thought enough of what I do here to put me in for this award,” said Sparks. “While this award is obviously individualized, it really does feel good knowing that the 47th CS’s many initiatives are being acknowledged and appreciated.”
Both Sparks and Clouse’s award packages will now compete at the Air Force level.