Combat Airspace Technician Awards

Staff Sergeant Louis N. Castaneda distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Combat Airspace Technician, Combat Plans Division, 609th Air Operations Center, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. During this period, in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, SPARTAN SHIELD, and ENDURING SENTINAL, Sergeant Castaneda led the production and execution of one hundred and ninety Airspace Control Orders, guiding operations in four areas of responsibility and supporting the strike which led to the elimination of Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the masterminds behind the attacks of September 11th, 2001. Additionally, Sergeant Castaneda advanced the plans of the President of the United States by integrating a multi-disciplined plan which included the construction of airspaces to facilitate air to air refueling, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and kinetic strikes for eight F-16s over Iran, eliminating nine significant weapons caches with zero casualties. Furthermore, his dedication to innovation led to the first Air Operations Center software upgrade in twenty years and the validation of an important web-based software application acquisition program. Finally, Sergeant Castaneda led the United Arab Emirates airspace project, resolving eleven air space conflicts between civilian flight paths and United States Navy Training areas in support of the protection of one-third of the world's oil trade. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Castaneda reflect credit upon himself, the 609th Air Operations Center and the United States Air Force.

Master Sergeant Ulrich Von Lichtenstein distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Interface Control Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, 156th Airlift Wing, Puerto Rico National Guard. During this period, Sergeant Lichtenstein became the 141st Air Control Squadron's first ever Joint Interface Control Officer, enhancing the unit's communications flexibility and Data Link capabilities. Additionally, he taught Joint Tactical Data Link management techniques to deploying Interface Control Technicians (ICT) during the Pre-Deployment phase, improving their overall readiness and earning recognition from the SW Regional Interface Control Officer. Moreover, Sergeant Lichtenstein identified potential problems at higher levels of Tactical Data Link architecture which could have prevented link participants from joining the 125,000 square miles of Link architecture and reported it to the Combat Airspace Operation Center, avoiding degradation of the link picture. Finally, he served as night shift NCOIC of scheduling for both Operation Enduring Freedom and Air Defense of the Arabian Gulf Mission, de-conflicting 11,800 man hours, 180 appointments, and ensuring 88 days of uninterrupted tactical and administrative service for the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Lichtenstein reflect credit upon himself, the 141st Air Control Squadron and the United States Air Force.