Former Warrior of the North continues to keep aircraft and people safe

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.-- --  In 1980, 18-year-old Marvin Sutton helped keep Grand Forks Air Force Base assets and people safe as a member of the 321st Security Police Group; although he may no longer be in the Air Force, the former Warrior of the North still manages to keep aircraft and people safe as a civilian.

Sutton currently works as an air traffic controller for the Air Route Traffic Control Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He helps keep thousands of air passengers and pilots safe in the skies over and around east Texas. It's a job he's been doing for more than a quarter of a century and he says was made possible thanks to his military service, which included beneficial experiences that took place during his time in North Dakota.

Like many security forces members Sutton was tasked with the responsibility of not just protecting lives but aircraft and facilities worth millions of dollars.

"Knowing that I had such a responsibility drove me to develop a strong work ethic because I knew others depended on me to do my job to the best of my abilities," said Sutton. "It was something not to be taken lightly."

Serving in the Air Force also provided Sutton with the opportunity to learn the importance of team work, which had been emphasized throughout his eight years in the military; however, he said it was its importance became apparent after he made the transfer to the air traffic controller career field in 1983.

He said most people usually see in person who they're working with on a team, and through time develop a team chemistry and way of doing things. However, air traffic controllers rarely if ever have that luxury since they usually don't see the person they're talking to because most of the communication is by radio. In the case of pilots, they're basically talking to strangers.

"That's why you have to be a good communicator, which means you have to listen and trust what the other person is telling you and vice-versa," said Sutton.

Sutton's last assignment was Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It was there he began to seriously too contemplate staying or leaving.

"Watching a fighter jet do a low approach towards the tower made me feel proud to watch and say I was part of that," said Sutton. "It was moments like that, which convinced me that I wanted to continue my career as an air traffic controller, no matter if that was as an Airman or civilian."

In 1988 he separated at the rank of staff sergeant, but not before learning another valuable lesson from his mentor and supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Carl Robinson.
"Sergeant Robinson kept telling me all you have to do is pay attention to detail," said Sutton.

Sutton said those words along with Robinson's mentorship along with so many of the experiences and lessons he had learned as an Airman help make him feel confident in his abilities and to make a decision about his future.

"The military was great stepping stone for me because it provided me with an opportunity to learn a set of skills and experiences that I was able to use as I transitioned back into civilian life," said Sutton. "Those qualities or lessons are something I've carried with me most of my life and they have helped me better ensure my success."

Sutton earned a degree in accounting and is now an active member of the National Air Traffic Controller Association, which was founded to advocate preserving the strength and stability of our air traffic control system, and to represent the controllers responsible for ensuring the safety of the flying public.

Being a member of the NATCA and still displaying the Wingman attitude he developed during his military service Sutton returned to Grand Forks AFB to speak to current active-duty Airmen serving as air traffic controllers here.

"I think having Mr. Sutton visit was great," said Airman 1st Class Steven Holland, an air traffic controller from the 319th Operations Support Squadron, who volunteered to escort Sutton during his visit. "He provided us with interesting information about the air traffic career field from a civilian perspective."

Sutton also showed a video and audio presentation of an incident that he worked on involving an aircraft from Louisiana, which occurred approximately eight months ago about 40 miles south of Lubbock, Texas. In the audio presentation, Sutton was able to demonstrate how he was able to prevent the aircraft from crashing.

The audio presentation was appreciated by the 319th OSS Airmen as several of them thanked Sutton for his time.

"I think the audio and video presentations were one of my favorite things about Mr. Sutton's visit," said Holland. "Most people might find some of that stuff confusing or boring, but air traffic controllers like me find that interesting because being exposed to that type of information may help us become more knowledgeable and better prepared for incidents we might have to deal with in the future. And when you are talking about not just million dollar aircraft, but human lives, you just can't help but say thank you for sharing."