BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
A 940th Wing Air Reserve Technician who excels at meeting the professional and personal needs of both reserve and active duty airmen was named the 2010 Air Force Reserve Command's Command Post Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.
Senior Master Sergeant Semaj McGhee serves as the Beale Command Post superintendent and is responsible for ensuring that airmen from both the 940th Wing and the 9th Reconnaissance Wing are utilized effectively in command post operations.
"I work hard to provide a balance between both wings," said McGhee. "A healthy balance is fruitful for both wings and ensures that both reservists and active duty airmen receive all of the necessary training they need to support both wings."
For McGhee, the key to success in a fully integrated command post is having airmen from both units serve in key roles.
"In 24-hour command post operations, everyone is intermingled. Traditional Reservists come in regularly to fill in any voids that we have in operations," McGhee said.
The 17-year veteran of command post operations started his Air Force career at Beale while he was on active duty. Serving as superintendent for the host wing has reconnected him to those roots.
"Working with the active duty has allowed me to see the bigger mission objective," said McGhee. "I'm now involved in the activities of both command staffs."
A mission-driven airman, McGhee is proud that both Air Force components work together to accomplish the command post mission.
"It's a team effort down here," said McGhee. "Active duty, traditional reservists, and ARTs put in a tremendous amount of work to ensure that the combined command post at Beale works."
"Sergeant McGhee has a significant job to do, and he does an impressive job of balancing both active duty and reserve needs," said a 9th RW command post controller.
Staff Sergeant Preston Singleton, training NCOIC for the Beale Command Post and a 940th Wing ART, agreed.
"Sergeant McGhee doesn't draw a line in the sand between active duty and reserve. He puts people first and finds the best way to get the Air Force mission done," Singleton said.