General presents medals to outstanding personnel

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th ABW Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- --  Maj. Gen David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and commander, Air Armament Center, presented the following medals and Air Force-level awards at his Commander's Call Dec. 10.

Purple Heart: Tech Sgt. Chad Wilkey, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron
On June 9, Sergeant Wilkey was injured when a rocket hit a pick-up truck parked next to his facility on Sather AB, Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. The blast sent shrapnel through the building and Sergeant Wilkey was injured by flying shrapnel.

Bronze Stars:
Master Sgt. Michael W. Carl, 96th Communications Squadron
Sergeant Carl's leadership, technical expertise, and organizational skills allowed him to flawlessly support the task force for Command and Control during sustained combat operations. His contributions ensured the success of a series of critical ground combat operations of national significance. The remainder of Sergeant Carl's citation and narrative are restricted information.

Master Sgt. Gregory Pocaigue, 96th LRS
Sergeant Pocaigue served as the LTF 297th platoon NCOIC in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII. Due to his outstanding abilities and leadership, the task force was able to provide superb logistical support to coalition forces operating within southern Afghanistan. He effectively led his squad in escorting 112 task vehicles loaded with mission critical cargo while guiding, protecting, and caring for the coalition drivers embedded in the convoys on missions throughout Regional Command South. He quickly resolved the critical short-fall of combat essential supplies and equipment. Sergeant Pocaigue's diligent efforts facilitated the timely procurement of over $25K in equipment through Army and Air Force supply channels to equip the platoons gun trucks and Airman with resources to safely operate, execute and accomplish the Combat Logistics Patrol missions.


Tech Sgt. Travis Laws, 96th LRS
Sergeant Laws was Convoy Commander for the 297th National Support Element Truck Platoon in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII, for six months. He exhibited great concern for the safety and welfare of his Airmen and coalition partners as he completed twenty missions, transported over eighty loads, delivering 2.4 million tons of cargo, in a hostile and unforgiving environment. Additionally, Sergeant Laws displayed outstanding leadership and superior organizational skills through magnificent preparation in all facets of operations and training. Furthermore, he ensured his unit's convoy missions were complete successes, never missing a start time or delivery.

Staff Sgt. Brad Mitchell, 96th LRS 
Sergeant Mitchell was lead Vehicle Commander for the 297th Gun Truck Platoon in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII. He safely led 86 military and 26 task vehicles through hostile fire environment. He developed each individual of his team by training on tasks crucial for running convoy missions in Afghanistan. His careful instruction on use of all communications equipment procedures and radio discipline were key to preventing any communications issues on his convoys. His attention to detail was the guiding force of the detachment during the heavily tasked time period in support of Operations BAAZTSUKA and ACHILLES in Southern Afghanistan. Throughout these operations, the detachment also escorted Palletized Loading System vehicles loaded with 2.4 million tons of sensitive cargo while guiding, protecting, and caring for the coalition drivers embedded into their convoys

Air Medal: Colonel Tama R. Van Decar, 96th Medical Group commander
Colonel Van Decar distinguished herself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as Squadron Commander and Flight Surgeon, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, from May 14 through Sept. 12. During this period, Colonel Van Decar flew 15 combat missions, during which she delivered lifesaving transit care.

Combat Action Medal:

Master Sgt. Gregory Pocaigue, 96th LRS: In March 2007, the entire combat patrol came under small arms fire from Taliban forces. Sergeant Pocaigue, the assistant gunner and vehicle's combat life saver scanned for enemy targets. He volunteered to carry a wounded Airman to a waiting MEDEVAC aircraft, exposing himself to possible follow-on attack.

Tech Sgt. Travis Laws, 96th LRS: In April 2007, Tech Sgt. Laws' vehicle came under small arms fire from Taliban forces. As truck commander, Sergeant Laws ensured his vehicle crew completed battle action drills and conveyed the situation to the convoy commander. Later, placing himself in danger, Sergeant Laws changed two tired which had been sot in the attack.

Tech Sgt. Lorri Mayes, 96th LRS: In March 2007 a convoy in which Sergeant Mayes was leading came under small arms fire. She advised her gunner on potential enemy targets and aided her gunner in quickly acquiring a target and to immediately begin returning fire. Sergeant Mayes' crew aided in the MEDEVAC of an Airman wounded during the ambush. She protected her crew and the 12-vehicle patrol to successfully finish the mission.

Tech Sgt. Jordan Velissariou, 96th LRS: Sergeant Jordan was lead vehicle technician and was operating the last vehicle in a 56-vehicle convoy from Kuwait. The convoy was ambushed and his truck took on small arms fire and, since he was caught in the heaviest part of the attack, he soon realized the convoy was being separated. When a break in the attack occurred, he directed the last eight vehicles to catch up with the rest of the convoy. They sustained a second attack 20 minutes later. Sergeant Velissariou performed battle damage assessments and deemed them safe enough for the return trip even through 17 were riddled with bullet holes, including his own.

Senior Airman Joseph Fougerousse, 96th LRS: In March 2007, Airman Fougerousse's convoy was under small arms fire from Taliban forces. As the driver, he began scanning his sector of fire for potential enemy targets for his gunner to engage. Later, his vehicle took part in providing 360 degree security for the patrol and led the setup of a forward rally point to MEDEVAC a wounded Airman.

Senior Airman Tarrick Jackson, 96th LRS: In April 2007, Airman Jackson's vehicle came under small arms fire from Taliban forces. He identified the fire from a single gun position and traversed his gun turret in the direction of the enemy gun position and began to fire on the position. Airman Jackson maintained his composure and continued to return fire despite the danger and enemy fire. He conveyed the situation to his truck commander and the convoy commander, protecting a 12-vehicle patrol.

Senior Airman Jacob Sutton, 96th LRS: Airman Sutton actively participated in combat, having been under direct and hostile fire or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire, in connection with military operations while serving in Afghanistan.

Exceptional Civilian Service: Elizabeth T. Thorn, 308th Armament Systems Wing
Ms. Thorn was recognized for her distinguished performance as Lead, Risk Methodology Focus Area Team and as Technical Director, 308th Armament Systems Wing, Air Armament Center, from Jan. 1, 2006, to April 23, 2007. Ms. Thorn's superior efforts are responsible for the successful development of the Probability of Program Success risk methodology model, a next generation risk methodology for objectively assessing all risks affecting the successful outcome of acquisition programs across the Air Force portfolio. As a result of her leadership, for the first time, the United States Air Force now has a common framework to calculate and present risk across programs, make decisions, and take actions to neutralize risk across the entire life cycle of a program.

Meritorious Civilian Service: Robin D. Bailey, Jr.
Mr. Bailey was recognized for his distinguished performance as Deputy Director, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., from Feb. 19, 2006 to Sept. 1, 2007. Mr. Bailey's leadership, foresight and ceaseless efforts resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Command. He was the driving force behind the Command's successful implementation of the National Security Personnel System. Additionally, he paved the way for execution of the most significant force shaping programs in the command's history generating $150 million for weapon system recapitalization. During this effort, he oversaw the successful strategy to retain a robust Services military presence in the Command. Further, under his leadership, the directorate partnered with local universities to create a Space Certificate program enabling the Space Commission's vision for a highly skilled and technologically advanced space force.

Air Force Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award: Senior Airman Patrick Watford, 46th Operations Support Squadron
This award recognizes teams that use a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance, and create sustained results.
The Battlefield Airman Clinic and Performance Enhancement Team was created to provide easy and early access to medical care and minimize training performance problems and debilitating injuries for Airmen in special tactics training. New techniques gained by embedding medical personnel in training programs generated numerous improvements in operational capabilities. The team significantly reduced injury-related losses in training time which ultimately ensured the warfighter mission-essential, combat trained resources. Airman Watford was assigned to the 720th Special Tactics Group at the time of his award.