Meet SMSgt. Philip B. McAlpin Jr.

SMSgt. Philip B. McAlpin Jr. Courtesy photo via AFA.

SMSgt. Philip B. McAlpin Jr. is one of the 12

Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019, an award recognizing airmen for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievement over the preceding 12 months. The 12 Airmen of the Year will be formally recognized at AFA’s Air,

Space & Cyber Conference Sept. 16-18 in National Harbor, Md.

Duty Title: Heavy Repair Superintendent

Organization: 5th Civil Engineer Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.

Home of Record: Philadelphia, Pa.

SMSgt. McAlpin led 28 multi-craft airmen in the daily maintenance of Syria’s sole C-17A capable semi-prepared landing zone. His efforts delivered 7,900 warfighters, ensured 900 combat sorties, and the reception and deployment of 8,900 short tons of essential cargo supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He identified critical airfield deficiencies and established courses of action to ensure air line of communications remained open throughout the region during the Battle of Ar Raqqa. His efforts and data led to him authoring the US Air Force’s first Comprehensive Landing Zone Maintenance Plan, reducing time from 12 to four hours daily, resulting in an increase of 90 sorties per month. He also managed 32 projects valued at $3.7 million in support of the Special Operations Joint Task Force Syria.