Airman earns Aircraft save award Published July 16, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A Scott Airman received the Lt. Gen. Gordon Blake Aircraft Save award for the year 2008. Senior Airman Andrew Avery, 375th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control journeyman, is the only person to receive the Save award for the year 2008 at Scott thus far. Airman Avery was deployed to Balad Air Base with the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron when he issued a take-off clearance to a C-130 for Runway 12. At the same time a C-17 was circling the airfield for final descent and operation. The C-130 was departing the airfield under a lights out configuration which was the standard operating procedure during nighttime operations. The C-130 inadvertently departed Runway 30, placing his departure path directly into opposite direction traffic. This potential catastrophe was not observed until the C-130 turned on the aircraft obstruction lights while departing. Airman Avery quickly verified that the aircraft was departing Runway 30 and the answer was in the affirmative. He immediately issued a right turn to the C-17 inbound on final approach to Runway 12. He simultaneously issued a traffic alert and an immediate right turn to the departing C-130. "I was a little nervous," said Airman Avery. "I stopped for a moment then I just started doing my job and gave the directions." Eventually, both aircraft reported each other in sight and the estimated lateral separation was less than 1.5 miles. "I was shocked," said Airman Avery. "I couldn't believe what just happened." The criteria for a Save award according to Air Force Instruction 36-2807 is an action taken resulting in the safe recovery of an imperiled airborne aircraft or help given to an endangered aircraft on the ground. The action must clearly extend beyond normal duty requirement, be professional and cast no reasonable doubt that, without this action, damage would have likely resulted. "Senior Airman Avery saved nine lives and $202 million dollars," said Master Sgt. Jeff Craig, 375th OSS control tower chief controller. Airman Avery was also award the Tuskegee Airman of the Week award, Air Combat Control flight line safety award in March, and the Achievement medal.