Thomas Litka, Evaluation and Procedures Development specialist, Air Traffic Control (ATC) Division, Operations Department, is the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Manager of the Quarter for the third quarter fiscal year 2005.

Litka, a retired Chief Air Traffic Controller in the Naval Reserves, began his career at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on active duty in 1973. He was hired as a DoD Air Traffic Control Specialist upon completion of his active duty career in 1978 and has been reporting for work in the ATC Facility since that time.

Litka is an integral part of the ATC management team. His expert knowledge and personal efforts managing all aspects of the training program directly enables the West Coast’s only 24-hour-a-day Approach Control Facility to achieve and sustain mission readiness.

He planned months ahead of a major equipment installation, starting an aggressive training program that instructed 81 military and civilian air traffic controllers on a digital state-of-the-art air traffic control suite. His superb management of the training plan proved vital to the ahead-of-schedule opening of the New Control Tower and the start-up of the temporary Radar room.

He spent countless off-duty hours familiarizing and mastering the new equipment himself, quickly becoming one of only three resident experts on this equipment. He completely analyzed the equipment and identified several new procedures required for operation. His foresight enabled a seamless transition to the new control tower and temporary radar room without disruption of ATC services to our aviation customers.

His primary duty is to train Sailors and passdown his extensive knowledge of Whidbey Island ATC procedures. He manages all aspects of the division’s complex professional training syllabus with expertise, patience, and a genuine concern for personnel development.

Litka is directly responsible for producing 37 professional qualifications this quarter to include three Facility Watch Supervisors, four Radar Supervisors and four Tower Supervisors. These qualifications are instrumental in the ATC Facility’s ability to sustain 24-hour capability in direct support of this command’s primary mission.

Litka provides sound leadership and management to nine civilian ATC Specialists, while handling a myriad of personnel management issues, superbly balancing the Navy mission with the needs of his employees.

His opinion and historical knowledge are routinely relied upon by the ATC Facility Officer for all civilian personnel administrative matters.

His contributions provide a positive lasting impact on safety of flight not only for Commander, Electronic Attack Wing U. S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, but the general aviation public as well.  His recognition as Manager of the Quarter is hard earned and well deserved.