SrA. Angela Huguley, an air traffic controller with the 72nd Operations Support Squadron at Tinker AFB. Okla., earlier this month received the Lt. Gen. Gordon A. Blake Aircraft Save Award, a high honor for air traffic controllers. She was recognized for her decisive actions in the control tower at Ali Air Base, Iraq, on Oct. 6, 2008, in ordering an Army RC-12 reconnaissance aircraft to abort a landing in poor visibility conditions when she noticed that the aircraft was mistakenly descending upon one of the base’s closed runway where maintenance personnel were working. “She basically saved 19 people that day,” said Capt. Gregg Potter, commander of the 72nd OSS’ Airfield Operations Flight. Huguley was cited for her “extraordinary dedication to duty and application of air traffic control procedures [that] resulted in the prevention of a catastrophic mishap and loss of life.” She credited her training with preparing her to handle such contingencies. (Tinker report by Howdy Stout)
Loved Ones Mourn 6 Airmen Killed in KC-135 Crash
March 16, 2026
Tributes to the six crew members that died in the KC-135 Stratotanker crash in Iraq have flooded social media since the Pentagon released their identities March 14. They were the first Airmen to die while supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran.