Command post senior NCO wins AFRC award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jasmin Taylor
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  The 919th Special Operations Wing command post received some good news when the Air Force Reserve Command announced its 2014 Command and Control awards in February. 

Master Sgt. Elaine Alonzo won the command's Senior Non Commissioned Officer of the Year award while acting as the unit's NCOIC of console operations. 

The 13-year veteran said she was humbled when her name was announced at the wing commander's call.

"I was extremely excited to be recognized," said the 35-year-old.

The Senior NCO of the year graduated from Air Force basic training in 2002 and served on active duty for four years at Eglin AFB.  Alonzo transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 2006, where she served in a variety of command post roles.

After three years in the Reserve, Alonzo joined the federal civil service working in the command post.  She later became an Air Reserve Technician. She now manages the systems that ensure wing readiness, reporting and training.

"Working in the command post is never a boring job because each day brings on a different challenge," said Alonzo who satisfies her new adventurous hobby with cave diving. "If you want to know what's happening 24/7 in the AF, the CP is the place to work."

The New York native said her most rewarding experience was augmenting with the AFRC Inspector General team starting in 2010 where she assisted with inspections in various Reserve units at other bases.

"It gave me the opportunity to see how other CP's operate," she said.  "I was able to bring back new ideas to put into practice to help my unit run smoother and more efficiently."

Alonzo's mentor taught her actions are more important than words.

"Say what you mean," said Alonzo.  "Do not leave things to interpretations because that leaves room for confusion and frustration.  I continue to lean on my mentor's advice as I progress in my career with hope to do the same for someone else."