Commander Awards

Commander, Medical Group

Colonel Lauren H. Byrd distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Commander, 17th Medical Group, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, from 1 July 2019 to 23 June 2021. During this period, Colonel Byrd led 206 personnel across 44 Air Force Specialty Codes, directed a 38-million dollar enterprise, and orchestrated more than 90,000 medical and dental appointments for 11,000 beneficiaries. She was truly the right leader at the right time and served as the medical crisis manager for navigating the wing's response to the Coronavirus-19 global pandemic by streamlining the base's medical screening processes to ensure zero lapses in training for 15,000 joint intelligence and firefighting professionals. Furthermore, as a skillful change agent, Colonel Byrd directed the medical group through the Defense Health Agency transition and through a squadron reorganization that generated multiple efficiencies and modernized patient care by focusing on customer and process improvement to ensure mission-ready military personnel for each of the Services and ten Combatant Commands. While accelerating change in the military healthcare enterprise, Colonel Byrd enhanced lethality and agility by leading six mass Coronavirus-19 vaccine points of distribution, providing more than 8,000 vaccines at Goodfellow Air Force Base, garnering praise for her team from several Air Education Training Command senior leaders for "fighting through Coronavirus-19" while mitigating the risk to the force and mission. Accordingly, Colonel Byrd inspired a culture of excellence within the medical group as her team received Department of Defense-level accolades for establishing the Air Force's benchmark Coronavirus-19 surveillance testing program, which drastically reduced quarantine requirements and averted missed training days. Finally, Colonel Byrd received Air Force-level recognition for developing future force leaders by serving as a cornerstone in two nationally streamed, General Officer-hosted, social media discussions on fostering inclusion within the Air Force. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Byrd reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.

Commander, Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron

Colonel Blank distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as the Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2024. During this period, he directed and guaranteed the simultaneous deployment and redeployment of the 185th Special Operations Squadron and supporting personnel to two different theaters of operation. His direct intervention and oversight allowed key members and mission essential operations to bolster both CENTCOM and SOUTHCOM. Additionally, he implemented a revolutionary new training program that resulted in an increase of Airmen attending formal training by 600 percent, boosting squadron members' capabilities and readying them for the next step in their careers. Finally, Colonel Blank took a novel, risk-based approach to personnel management and budgeting. He oversaw budgets of over four million dollars and instituted procedures which ensured one hundred percent accountability and resulted in a complete transformation of the Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss process. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Blank reflect great credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force.

Officer in Charge, Maintenance Operations

Captain Zackary B. Davis distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Officer in Charge, Maintenance Operations, 22d Maintenance Group, McConnell Air Force Base, Kanas. During this period, Captain Davis led the Air Force's only special operations aerial refueling fleet. His outstanding leadership was crucial to the success of 400 missions and eighteen hundred flight hours, supporting nearly two hundred receivers. Additionally, Captain Davis' expertise ensured the logistics support and generation of nineteen aircraft in less than twelve hours during a no-notice weather evacuation. His actions were instrumental in safeguarding one billion dollars worth of critical national assets. Furthermore, he was handpicked as the maintenance lead for the 22d Air Refueling Wing's mobility support team, leading sixty-three airmen in support of the 22d Air Refueling Wing's number one mission of nuclear deterrence. Finally, he oversaw the execution of seventy two Tactical Airlift Command Center missions, providing critical Combatant Commander support for transporting 195 thousand personnel, leading to his selection for 2017 22d Maintenance Group Company Grade Officer of the Year. Moreover, Captain Davis was also recognized as the 2015 and 2016 Maintenance Group Lance P. Sijan winner, in addition to the 2016 22d Air Refueling Wing's Tuskegee Airmen Leadership Award recipient. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Davis reflect credit upon himself and the United State Air Force.

Commander, Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Reynolds distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Commander, 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. During this period, Colonel Reynolds' leadership and integration of 858 Total Force Airmen within seventeen Air Force Specialties across seven deployment rotations, proved vital to the airlift of 156,000 passengers and 38,000 tons of cargo on 7,700 missions, supporting Operations RESOLUTE SUPPORT, FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE and SPARTAN SHIELD. Additionally, he synchronized Afghanistan "Go-to-Zero" operational plans between two Major Command Staffs, resulting in six additional C-17 aircraft, which generated 1,100 sorties, ultimately closing seven forward operating bases two months ahead of the President of the United States' goal. Furthermore, Colonel Reynolds' vision helped create the Nodal Operations Center, fusing three sections' command and control systems into a single common operating picture for C-17 operations in the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Finally, he created the "Ocho 8.0" leadership program instituting a deliberate strategy for eight focus areas across four quarters. His bold leadership led the unit to new heights winning the 2021 Air Mobility Command's Maintenance Effectiveness Award, the Air Force Association Innovation Award, and cemented his selection as the Air Mobility Command's General Thomas P. Gerrity Award winner. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Reynolds reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Commander, Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron

Lieutenant Colonel Phillip R. Howard distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Commander, 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. During this period, Colonel Howard led a team of engineers, planners, project managers, and tradesmen to maintain Bagram airfield and over 300 mission support facilities, enabling 19,000 combat sorties, air transport of 38,000 short tons of cargo, resupply of forward-based forces, and increased battlefield awareness from cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. He led the transformation from expeditionary to enduring facilities by expertly managing 113 million dollars of airfield construction while planning and programming 280 million dollars in military construction projects, preparing the airfield to meet theater posture plan requirements. He diligently maintained four aircraft arresting systems that saved five EA-6 aircraft, three F-15 aircraft, and two F-16 aircraft from disaster. He spearheaded 2.6 million dollars in airfield improvements, including pavement repair of five unserviceable aircraft taxiways. Additionally, he bravely led immediate actions following 15 indirect fire attacks by ensuring the safety and accountability of personnel adjacent to impact points and directing airfield damage repair teams to repair damaged taxiways. Finally, his superior leadership of 100 force protection escorts enabled uninterrupted progress on 157 million dollars of airfield projects while ensuring the security of combat aircraft worth over three billion dollars. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Howard reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Commander, Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron

Lieutenant Colonel James M. Heuring distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Commander, 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. During this period, while in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Colonel Heuring fused 90 military craftsmen and 75 civilians into a cohesive engineering team that maintained 1,200 facilities valued at three billion dollars, enabling 150,000 air operations. Additionally, he led the implementation and oversight of 15 military construction and 20 operations and maintenance projects valued at 155 million dollars, to establish permanent facilities and infrastructure to enable current and future military operations at Bagram. Furthermore, Colonel Heuring led the planning and programming of a 22 million dollar runway repair project to reconstruct the primary runway. His plan minimized impacts to air combat operations during construction while preparing the runway to support all heavy airlift sorties required for retrograde operations. Finally, as a key member of the Joint Emergency Operations Center, he orchestrated recovery efforts following six indirect fire attacks by directing immediate runway repairs that enabled the rapid resumption of airfield operations while minimizing adverse effects on combat missions. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Heuring reflect great credit upon himself, the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Commander, Comptroller Squadron

Major Duane L. Hinkle distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Commander, 374th Comptroller Squadron, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. During this period, Major Hinkle's outstanding leadership promptly facilitated unit cohesion resulting in the effective execution of five budgets totaling more than 360 million dollars. As a financial advisor for senior leadership, he flawlessly directed the wing commander's eighty-six million dollar annual budget, ensuring appropriate funding allocation throughout the installation. Additionally, Major Hinkle's organizational skills and resourcefulness helped prepare Yokota Air Base for the fiscal year closeout through the successful completion of seventy-six unfunded requests, totaling more than three million dollars in mission and quality of life requirements. Further, his superb management skills and administrative expertise were instrumental in reducing Pacific Air Forces Government Travel Card delinquency rate by four percent. Finally, Major Hinkle's guidance was essential to the squadron garnering Pacific Air Forces recognition for the best Quality Assurance Plan in the Pacific. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major Hinkle reflect great credit upon himself, the 374th Airlift Wing and the United States Air Force.

Commander, Air Mobility Operations Squadron

Lieutenant Colonel Paul R. Pinkstaff distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Commander, 514th Air Mobility Operations Squadron, 514th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Pinkstaff resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Air Force. Colonel Pinkstaff resolved complex force utilization and training issues to provide the Air Force Reserve Command its first-ever organization able to fill all Air Mobility Division positions. He trained and equipped personnel to manage assigned mobility forces in direct support of the Joint and Coalition forces for eight Unified Commands throughout fourteen contingency operations, humanitarian efforts, and exercises worldwide. Additionally, Colonel Pinkstaff provided Air Mobility expertise at the operational level of warfare to help achieve the objectives of four Unified Command exercises in 2009. He planned, organized, and executed airlift, airdrop, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation solutions in order to improve the readiness and defense capabilities of over 13,500 participants at Exercises KEY RESOLVE, AUSTERE CHALLENGE, BLUE FLAG, and BRIGHT STAR. Finally, Colonel Pinkstaff deployed as Air Mobility Division Chief and acting Director of Air Mobility Forces of the Combined Air and Space Operations Center for Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM. His tireless work resulted in the transport of 220,000 troops, movement of more than 78,000 tons of critical warfighting supplies, air-refueling of 160,000,000 pounds of fuel, and the expeditious aeromedical evacuation of over 2,000 patients. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Pinkstaff reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Timothy S. Moses distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, Swanton, Ohio. As the 180th Fighter Wing's Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) Commander, Colonel Moses inspired a culture of excellence that culminated with the wing earning the 1st Air Force ACA Unit of the Year Award for an unprecedented two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011. Colonel Moses' vital tactical and operational inputs at numerous Air Combat Command, Air Reserve Component (ARC) and NORAD Weapon and Tactics Conferences charted the course of many Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) that were incorporated into the Air Defense of the United States and Canada (ADUSCAN) Manual and current day Special Instructions (SPINS). Colonel Moses personally briefed the Great Lakes Region USCG 9th District Admiral and Ohio National Guard senior leadership on the technical capability of the ACA mission to support the U.S. Coast Guard and Civilian Authorities during a critical Search and Rescue mission or to intervene against an impending maritime threat. Colonel Moses personally made multiple visits to Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome, New York, 1st Air Force/CONR at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida and local Coast Guard stations to develop training SPINS, establish TTPs and communication plans for both planned air and maritime threat exercises as well as national level contingencies. As an ACA subject matter expert, Colonel Moses was nominated to be the 2011 ARC WEPTAC ACA Chairman, assigned to help stand up two new ACA sites, developed procedures to be the first ACA unit to use SATCOM during a low altitude NORAD Alert Force Evaluation, assigned Direct Liaison Authority with the 1st AF/CC during a critical tour of duty in support of two west coast alert sites, served as the Air National Guard's ACA Staff Assistance Visit Team Lead and was awarded the 1st Air Force/CONR 2011 Pilot of the Year. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Moses reflect great credit upon himself, the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force.