McConnell member named 2013 CP Airman of the year

by Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

8/6/2014 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- A member of Team McConnell was recognized as the Air Force's 2013 Command Post Airman of the Year.

Staff Sgt. Bryan Knehr, 22nd Air Refueling Wing senior controller, was shocked when he discovered that he was selected. Rather than accrediting his success to one year of excellent work performance, Knehr attributes his success to the first three years of his career, when his team helped to shape him as an Airman.

"It took the leadership and dedication of three senior NCO's who retired from the CP while I've been stationed here, the friendship and guidance of five NCO's who moved to other bases, and it also took the push and drive of four other Airman in my peer group here at McConnell," said Knehr.

As a command post Airman, Knehr relays vital information to base agencies, aircraft and the base commander. His mission-essential role requires him to constantly recertify his CP credentials.

During a Nuclear Operations Readiness Exercise last year, Knehr and his supervisor and mentor, Master Sgt. John Morris, were the only two Airmen to pass Emergency Action Test with 100 percent accuracy.

"As a senior airman, Bryan always worked at an NCO level and would continually strive to help others when they needed it," said Morris. "It did not surprise me at all that he won the award, he absolutely deserves it."

Knehr's devotion to his service extends beyond his work at McConnell. In October 2013, he voluntarily left on a nine-month deployment. He brought his best efforts with him, which earned him a monthly award and a quarterly award shortly after.

His overseas accomplishments amounted to something far beyond his expectations. On Christmas Day 2013, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, James Cody, gave him a call.

"To receive a call from the highest enlisted Airman, saying 'hey I heard that you've done a great job and I really appreciate your work,' that really helped to elevate my work ethic to a whole new level," said Khehr.

Throughout Knehr's success, one person has support him the whole way, his wife Alisha. Not only has she been by his side as a spouse, Bryan considers her to be 'stiff competition,' as she has won several wing-level awards herself.

"She may not admit it," said Bryan, "but there is absolutely a friendly completion going on between us. She motivates me to elevate my standards and has made living and succeeding easy for me."

From face-to-face meetings with mentors, an occasional opportunity to speak with Air Force leadership, to even a simple hug from his wife, Knehr said that he is grateful to have so much guidance from the people who push him to become a better Airman each day.