Commander Citations

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.