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Commander presents awards, updates Team Eglin

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  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th ABW Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  At a commander's call July 31, Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Air Armament Center commander, recognized the contributions of Team Eglin personnel. 

The general also acknowledged there are many issues on his radar scope that demand attention from not only him but the entire workforce. They range from AEF-ready Airmen to acquisition performance. 

"There's a whole bunch going on and I know you are very busy with your day-to-day jobs," General Eidsaune said. "We're asking you to take on other initiatives like BRAC growth, community initiatives...it is important to the base and important to the Air Force. I do feel your pain, but with your help we'll get through this busy period." 

The general also briefed such initiatives as the 33rd Fighter Wing's drawdown and Air Force Materiel Command's involvement in nuclear stewardship. He stressed it is a high priority for Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander; so much so that General Carlson has established an Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center within the command. 

"Things are going very well in our command for nuclear stewardship and General Carlson is happy where we stand," General Eidsaune said. 

Tempo banding in the AEF construct earned visibility with the general who said he was not surprised that units such as security forces and civil engineering and its explosive ordnance disposal flight are just a few heavily tasked career fields slated for 179-day deployments. The goal is to bring stability to their deployments. 

Other initiatives the General Eidsaune discussed was the proposed Lifestyle Center, slated to open in 2014 and a special emphasis on energy conservation. He also urged safety during the last month of the Air Forces 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign. 

"Last year the base spent $16 million on electricity; that's money out of our budget that can be used for quality of life," he said. "Conservation is the best thing you can do to save dollars." 

The general also presented the following awards: 

Chief Master Sgt. Troy Engholm received a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement while Group Superintendent, 755th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing while engaged in ground operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan from 22 Sept. 22, 2006, to March 27, 2007. His leadership proved crucial to the integration of over 1,000 airmen performing nontraditional civil affairs, training, and combat support missions at 29 locations throughout Afghanistan.
Chief Master Sgt. Lewis Mohr received a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement while Command Chief Master Sergeant, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Manas Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic, while supporting ground and air operations from Nov. 7, 2006 to Nov. 12, 2007. He exhibited consistent mission focus and deep concern for over 4,400 warfighters, operating 10 assigned KC-135, and four attached C-17 aircraft, that anchored the theater's mobility hub in Central Asia.

Staff Sgt. Tiffany Prophet received the The Joint Service Achievement Medal while serving as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Joint Operations Center Administration, Joint Operations Center, Operations Directorate, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command, Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, from Jan. 16 to May 21, Sergeant Prophet flawlessly updated situation reports, exercise issues and the Commander's key issues on the Special Operations Command Central SharePoint portal providing real-time situational awareness on all United States Army Special Forces and Navy SEALS throughout the region

Tech Sgt. Scott Neu received a Combat Action Medal for active participation in combat, having been under direct and hostile fire or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire, in connection with military operations on Dec. 30, 2004, while serving with Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. James Richey received a Combat Action Medal for active participation in combat, having been under direct and hostile fire or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire, in connection with military operations on Sept. 15, 2006, while serving with Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award was presented posthumously to Doris Stone who served as the Director, 96th Contracting Squadron prior to her death in April. The general presented the award to her husband, Jerry, recognizing Mrs. Stone's exemplary leadership, great flexibility, and personal growth while meeting Air Force mission goals and challenges.