RED HORSE Awards

Site Senior Enlisted Leader

Senior Master Sergeant Phillip A. Beserra distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as site Senior Enlisted Leader, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. During this period, in direct support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and SPARTAN SHIELD, Sergeant Beserra oversaw, mentored, and enforced good order and discipline for 117 Airmen, Noncommissioned Officers, Senior Noncommissioned Officers, and Company Grade Officers, and provided expert counsel to the site Officer-In-Charge at the Group's largest site in the Air Force Central Command's area of responsibility. Additionally, Sergeant Beserra was dual-hatted as the Engineering Flight Superintendent, managing, mentoring, and training 12 Airmen and four Soldiers, significantly amplifying shop technical capabilities, resulting in the successful completion of 11 construction projects totaling 17 million dollars. Furthermore, he led a survey team in expeditiously collecting 2,500 data points for a 19.2-acre, 5.85 million dollar geographically separated airfield apron, enabling Army Special Operation Command Central's CV-22 mission expansion. Finally, Sergeant Beserra orchestrated an eight member quality control team, collecting and validating over 2,100 soil and concrete tests for the construction of a 3.9 million dollar runway project supporting over 8,600 multi-national sorties and a 1.8 billion dollar weapon system. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Beserra reflect great credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman

Senior Airman Vincent D. Colmes distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squdron, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Qatar, from XXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, he deployed in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and Combined Joint Task Force HORN OF AFRICA where he helped install two 38-foot dish antennas. This expanded system increased the ability to track personnel and aircraft from 50 percent of the globe's surface to 95 percent. Additionally, he participated in the construction of a two and one half mile running track for the Coalition Compound. He led the removal and relocation of 150,000 tons of earth which led to the expedient completion of the project and provided the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing a safe exercise area for both permanent and transit personnel. Finally, he used his off-duty time to teach himself how to use the Squadron's Integrated Work Information Management System which allowed him to manage over 200,000 dollars in vital horizontal materials and supplies. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Colmes reflect credit upon himself, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squdron, and the United States Air Force.

Electrical Systems Journeyman

Technical Sergeant Lionel K. Witz distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Electrical Systems Journeyman, 560th Red Horse Squadron, 10th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Witz contributed to the recovery and welfare of the citizens affected by Hurricanes Katrine, Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma. Without hesitation, Sergeant Witz volunteered to deploy and restore electrical power to critical infrastructure, facilities, and dwellings throughout the affected areas. Working 16 hours a day for three months, Sergeant Witz and his team restored electrical power for over 500,000 storm victims. In addition, Sergeant Witz assisted in the construction of six 960 square foot homes for the needy and veterans on the Navajo Indian Reservation, reducing or mitigating the effects of poverty. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Witz reflect credit upon himself, the 560th Red Horse Squadron and the United States Air Force.

HVAC Technician

Staff Sergeant Bryan T. Cepero distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as HVAC Technician, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. During this period, Sergeant Cepero volunteered to support the 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and assisted in the pouring of over 2,000 cubic meters of concrete for the November Ramp expansion project, providing additional parking for U.S. and coalition helicopters. Additionally, he assisted in the installation of over 1,600 linear feet of six inch and four inch drain lines, trenched and installed 480 linear feet of water lines, and installed a 5,000 gallon water tank, resulting in project completion and lodging for over 600 service members one week ahead of schedule. Furthermore, Sergeant Cepero assisted in the installation of a positive water distribution system designed to maintain positive water flow to 17 sinks and 12 latrines. Finally, he assisted in the installation of 96 linear feet of twelve inch concrete pipe for a drainage culvert, providing water drainage for over two acres of flight line parking. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Cepero reflect credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Power Production Craftsman

Staff Sergeant Adam J. Northcutt distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Power Production Craftsman, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX. While forward deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Staff Sergeant Northcutt skillfully diagnosed and repaired mission essential generators, increasing power generation by 400 percent and preventing mission interruption for a three million dollar infrastructure project. In addition, he developed a fuel supply source that made it possible to increase generator use by 25 percent which made 24-hour operations possible for the first time since the base was established. Further, to ensure reliability, he implemented a recurring work program for nearly one million dollars in RHS assets which minimized equipment failures and eliminated repair costs. Finally, Sergeant Northcutt assumed duties as Squadron Safety NCO where he achieved 100 percent program compliance and produced an effective and relevant program for more than 1,500 380th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel and tenants. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Northcutt reflect credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.