Outstanding Airmen of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Marcus Banks

The Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021 will be formally recognized at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference from Sept. 20 to 22 in National Harbor, Md. Air Force Magazine is highlighting one each workday from now until the conference begins. Today, we honor Senior Master Sgt. Marcus Banks, an installation management flight superintendent with the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Banks led 162 engineers in the sustainment of 1,000 facilities and Kunsan Air Base, South Korea’s power projection platform. His actions propelled 6,000 multinational F-16 sorties that helped quell North Korean aggressions.

He led a tiger team and developed a strategic plan for 38 dormitories, which resolved 5,000 repairs and 178 emergencies. Banks’ leadership closed five congressional inquiries and upheld the quality of life for 2,800 joint service members.

He also advanced the wing’s coronavirus defense plan, driving two courses of action and delivering 2,000 restriction of movement rooms. His efforts isolated 1,000 threats with zero base spread and safeguarded 4,200 warfighters.

As the unit control center superintendent through four exercises and three typhoons, his team proved the wing’s base and airfield recovery capabilities and restored base operations within seven hours.

2021 Outstanding Airmen of the Year honoree Senior Master Sgt. Marcus Banks. Air Force photo.

Read more about the other Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021: