Base civilian wins top award Published June 8, 2007 By Staff. Sgt Angela Shepherd 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The Air Force recently named four civilians from the more than 140,000 they employ as the best of the best. Among the recipients of the 2007 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employees of the Year was one of Hurlburt's own. David Smart, a heavy equipment operator with the 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron and a retired master sergeant, was selected as the Civilian Wage Employee of the Year. "I'm still kind of in awe," Mr. Smart said of receiving the award. And though he may feel that way, he's no stranger to being an award winner. Mr. Smart has previously won awards at the squadron, group and wing levels. His most distinguished award though, until now, was the 2005 Air Force Special Operations Command Wage Grade Civilian of the Year as part of the command's Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards. That's quite an achievement considering he only started working as a civilian at Hurlburt in February 2005. In his post-retirement days as a civilian heavy equipment operator, Mr. Smart spends his days operating tractor trailers and all-terrain forklifts, conducting wrecker operations and transporting aircrew among other driving duties. He says his favorite job is training the young Airmen. Even now as Mr. Smart adds this prestigious award to his collection, he remains humble and acknowledges those he works with as a crucial factor in his success. "I feel as though this award was more of a team effort. It's deserved recognition for the squadron, the group, the wing and AFSOC," he said. "I'm just proud to be a small part of such a great team."