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17 "Weren't going to assign a new runway," Sullivan said. "Make sure there's no planes in the area, he can enter the runway he's about to get on, turn around, and taxi to 9." Once N447GJ was turned around and taxied to Runway 9, he took off without incident. "The controller who I was working with, Rob Lawn, who I work a lot with on overnights, he and I just looked at each other, and just took a deep breath and moved on," Sullivan said. This was a great save by Sullivan, but he made sure to note, "Many people I have worked next to over the years have done the same exact thing. It is just something you see, you do, you take a deep breath, and you move onto the next function." When asked what lessons he has learned over his 23-year career that led him to this level of awareness and safety, he credited the older controllers he has worked with in the past. Sullivan said they pushed him to make sure he was paying attention, that he was not turned around to the back of the tower cab having conversations. They engrained in him: "You can always be doing something. You are always going to catch something. Stuff is always happening." Sullivan recommends to the younger generation of air traffic controllers work to eliminate the distractions. "I know it can be boring at times when you're not busy," Sullivan said. "But those are the times you really need to catch the mistakes." Congratulations to the NATCA Archie League Medal of Safety recipient for the New England Region, Patrick Sullivan of Boston Tower! "The modern-day impediment to aviation safety is distractions. Patrick's commitment to his craft and the safety of the National Airspace System were evident that night. His focus on every detail of his role as an air traffic controller during a midnight shift saved the aircraft involved from an impending life- threatening event. Congratulations Patrick and thank you for your dedication to safety!" – Mick Devine, New England Regional Vice President

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