Aeromedical Evacuation Citations
Lieutenant Colonel Dennis R. Coen distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to the 146th Medical Group, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme California, from 12 February 2010 to 20 September 2013. During this period, as Flight Nurse Evaluator, Chief Nurse Executive, and Deputy Commander, he completed over 480 sorties, one thousand flying hours, and qualified on six types of aircraft: the C-130 E, C-130 J, CC-130J, KC-135, C-17, and C-141. In addition, he was Medical Crew Director on the world's first CC-130 J Aeromedical Evacuation Flight and completed the flying assignment as Aeromedical Evacuation Chief of Standards and Evaluations, evaluating 75 percent of all flyers and deploying 95 percent of crewmembers during the peak of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Further, as Chief Nurse Executive, he developed, implemented and trained nurse officers for a new program of physical health assessment through interview and documentation, eliminating all discrepancies and increasing compliance by 95 percent. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Coen culminate a distinctive career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and United States Air Force.
Lieutenant Colonel John E Boguslawski distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while serving as Officer in Charge of Operations Support Flight, 146th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 115th Air Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station from 20 August 1995 to 15 October 2013. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Colonel Boguslawski resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 146th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. He deployed in mission critical positions and as the Commander of the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, Ramstein Air Base, Air Mobility Command's busiest Air Expeditionary hub, safely moving 4,200 OIF/OEF patients, resulting in one hundred percent mission accomplishment. In addition, Colonel Boguslawski deployed as Disaster Response Commander for Hurricane Relief, moving over 1,750 critically ill civilian patients with oversight on millions of dollars in equipment and manpower. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Boguslawski culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant James M Sims distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Flight Chief, Intensive Care Unit, 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. During this period, Sergeant Sims supervised 12 critical care technicians and four respiratory technicians, receiving 380 critical inpatient admissions. His team stabilized 149 critical care air transport team patients for aeromedical evacuation to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, bolstering Craig Joint Theater Hospital's ninety-eight percent survival rate. Additionally, while serving on the Medical Group planning committee, he revised the Medical Contingency Response Plan, increasing the total mass casualty bed expansion capability to 65, providing a more realistic response plan. Further, Sergeant Sims led the Entry Control Point team while serving on the Medical Group's Quick Reaction Force. He secured the hospital gate and cleared the main living quarters in response to 23 indirect fire events, vigorously defending 300 Task Force Medical-East personnel and patients. Finally, he devoted over 48 hours to the education of 25 local nationals in cooperation with the Korean Vocational Training Center. He conducted a comprehensive English immersion course, effectively preparing the students for job placement. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Sims reflect credit upon himself, the 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant Edward V. Smith distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Aeromedical Evacuation Technician, NCOIC, Mission Management, and NCOIC, Clinical Training Element, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott Air Force Bae, Illinois. During this period, Sergeant Smith planned eighty AE missions while coordinating with sister services during a thirty three percent manning shortfall, resulting in 240 battle injured patients swiftly evacuated to trauma centers. Moreover, he coordinated airlift for 13 blast victims and worked with JPMRC to expedite care, contributing to an overall ninety eight percent survival rate. In addition, he constructed five in-flight kits during a 48-hour standby alert for the 2008 Presidential Inauguration and led a static display tour for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Director. Finally, Sergeant Smith pioneered the 10th EAEF inaugural electronic medical record system, showcasing AE capabilities, and contributing to Mission Management earning the 2011 Mobility Air Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron of the year award. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smith reflect credit upon himself, the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Captain Bonnie L Haight distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Flight Nurse, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 375th Operations Group, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. As Interim Operations Flight Commander, she supervised 14 personnel and managed 1.8 million dollars in medical kits. She audited in-flight medical supplies and equipment and identified and corrected errors on 630 items, restoring readiness and contributing to the unit's Aircrew Standardized Evaluation Visit "excellent" rating and recognition as Mobility Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron of the Year. In addition, her training on two command and control computer systems ensured a ready state for deploying squadron members, increasing mobility capability by 37 percent. Further, she was instrumental in executing the Squadron reorganization which led to a 50 percent increase in operations efficiency. Finally, she coordinated with Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units to secure 14 joint missions, maintaining flying currency for 82 personnel. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Haight reflect credit upon herself, the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Lieutenant Colonel Patricia J. Gallagher distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Flight Nurse Instructor, 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 137th Air Refueling Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During this period, Colonel Gallagher deployed numerous times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn, as well as domestic humanitarian support operations, flying a career total of over 2,000 hours and serving as Chief Nurse in the Aeromedical Evacuation Command Cell at Al Udeid Air Base. Her clinical expertise contributed to the safe aeromedical evacuation of countless wounded warriors and injured or ill U.S. citizens to higher levels of medical care. In addition, as a Flight Nurse Instructor, she deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm and was instrumental in the set-up of three Mobile Air Staging Facilities at Forward Operating Bases in austere conditions. Further, she was selected as squadron Chief Nurse and managed the training, competence, and welfare of 24 nurses and 46 technicians, resulting in continually mission ready crews and equipment. Finally, she was named Squadron Commander and led her unit to Excellent scores in an Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation Inspection, Health Services Inspection, and Operational Readiness Inspection while simultaneously supporting concurrent real world mission taskings. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gallagher reflect credit upon herself, the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Lieutenant Colonel Laura B. Fitzell distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Officer In charge of Plans and Operations and Flight Nurse, 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 137th Air Refueling Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In this important assignment, Colonel Fitzell managed and scheduled over 50 flight crews, enabling efficient operations and high unit morale. As a Flight Nurse and a member of several Operations Teams, she launched and airlifted over 5,000 patients on over 300 missions. In addition, she developed a tracking system for flight kit medications and equipment, ensuring teams maintained one hundred percent mission ready status. Her attention to detail led to the creation of several Acute Lung Team checklists adopted and utilized by the Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Team, resulting in expedited lung team responses. Finally, As Officer In charge of Plans and Operations, she compiled information from Unit Training Managers to establish a five year training program for the unit, expanding capabilities exponentially. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Fitzell reflect credit upon herself, the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant Michael S Fulton distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, 59th Pharmacy Squadron, 59th Clinical Support Group, 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. During this period, Sergeant Fulton deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq where he responded to 88 traumas, providing expertise and life-saving medications which were key to the 98 percent U.S. forces survival rate. Additionally, while providing a manning assist at Pope Air Force Base, he assisted in Operation Unified Response by preparing 40 Airmen for deployment, providing medical care to over 9,000 Haitian patients. Moreover, he established Wilford Hall Medical Center's first 50-bed Air Evacuation Staging Facility by stocking one hundred urgent care medications needed to treat thousands of wounded warriors. Further, as Non Commissioned officer in Charge of the emergency discharge pharmacy, he developed a discharged program that delivered patients' medications to their bedside, eliminating a 45 minute average wait. Finally, as Flight Chief of inpatient pharmacy, Sergeant Fulton supervised a Base Realignment and Closure initiative, transferring five million dollars in assets from the Wilford Hall Bone Marrow Transplant Pharmacy to San Antonio Military Medical Center. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Fulton reflect credit upon himself, the 59th Pharmacy Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Captain Catherine A Hugel distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Clinical Quality Element Leader, Aeromedical Evacuation Flight Nurse, and Flight Instructor, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 375th Air Base Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. During this period, Captain Hugel deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn and Overseas Contingency Operations where she directed 39 missions, flying 24 combat missions, and logging 750 flying hours. Her dedication to readiness and expert clinical skills ensured that 670 patients received quality care and safe expeditious aeromedical evacuation. In addition, Captian Hugel was an integral part of her squadron receiving an "Outstanding" rating for the Health Services Inspection and was recognized by the Air Mobility Command Inspector General and the 375th Wing Commander as an "Outstanding Performer" during the first ever Combined Unit Inspection. Further, as Unit Fitness Program Monitor, her efforts were instrumental in the squadron's 120 members achieving a pass rate and currency of one hundred percent. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Hugel reflect credit upon herself, the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant Jennifer M. Rowan distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while assigned to the 932d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from 13 April 2004 to 18 August 2007. During this period, Sergeant Rowan oversaw the entire squadron's In-service and Readiness Skills Verification programs, resulting in a well trained and war-ready squadron. In addition, she was mobilized for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita where her exceptional leadership and medical care led to the successful evacuation of 166 patients. Further, as Unit Deployment Manager, Sergeant Rowan was a key player in the 2005 Operational Readiness Inspection and Operational Readiness Exercise and helped with the planning, coordination, and successful evaluation of the multi-squadron exercise. Finally, she supported the Junior Enlisted Council and her tireless efforts helped raise money for events contributing to a positive 932d Air Wing morale. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Rowan reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Captain Joni M Kehler distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Clinical Nurse, 59th Surgical Inpatient Squadron, 59th Inpatient Operation Group, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Captain Kehler contributed to wartime effectiveness at Joint Base San Antonio, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and at the 775th Expeditionary Air Evacution Flight, Andrews Air Base. As Clinical Nurse Joint Base Balad, she cared for 165 admissions, 75 Trauma patients, and prepped 49 patients for flight, facilitating a one hundred percent survival rate. As Critical Care Air Transport nurse in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Captain Kehler cared for 19 critically injured on 14 missions, earning 55 flight hours and a one hundred percent survival rate. In addition, she maintained more than four hundred thousand dollars worth of medical equipment and augmented other Flight teams with 20 hours of ground transport of the critically ill. Finally, she precepted 16 critical care fellows, inserviced over 190 staff on cardiac monitoring, chest drainage, cerebral drainage, abdominal compartment syndrome, and advanced cardiac life skills. Her natural ability to care for the most critically ill and educate landed her "Outstanding Preceptor" and Wing Company Grade Officer of the Quarter. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Kehler reflect credit upon herself, the 59th Surgical Inpatient Squadron and the United States Air Force.