Current Operations Awards
Major Michael R. Rowan distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Current Operations Planner, Operations Directorate, United States Air Force Central Command, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. During this period, Major Rowan led the coordination of Operation Allies Refuge Crisis Action Team requests for information, identifying limitations for Afghanistan evacuee process centers, maximum operational airfield capacities, and equipment demilitarization during extraction operations, leading to the orderly evacuation of more than 124,000 Afghanistan refugees. Additionally, during Afghanistan noncombatant evacuation operations, he bridged communication gaps between Central Command and Transportation Command, resulting in the successful execution of 2,644 flights. Further, he restructured the Combined Forces Air Component Commander's aircraft tracking and accountability for more than five hundred joint and coalition assets. Finally, Major Rowan generated fragmentary orders and tracked aircraft movements within the theater in support of the Air and Missile Defense Exercise, contributing to mobility readiness. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Rowan reflect credit upon himself, United States Air Force Central Command and the United States Air Force.
Major Melinda S. Henderson distinguished herself by meritorious service as Current Operations Mission Planner, 54th Airlift Squadron, 375th Operations Group, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois from XXXXXXXXXX to XXXXX XXXXX. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Major Henderson resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Executive airlift mission. As a Current Operations Mission Planner, she planned over one hundred executive airlift missions, safely transporting more than two thousand senior U.S. leaders to more than eighty countries. Additionally, as head of the 932d Airlift Wing's passport facility, Major Henderson led six agents in processing passport applications and visa requests, reducing delays by thirty percent and garnering an "Excellent" inspection rating from the Department of State. Moreover, Major Henderson excelled as a C-40C Aircraft Commander, safely leading challenging, high visibility missions in support of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, members of Congress, the Secretary of Treasury, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives travel requirements. Finally, Major Henderson helped stand up a new flight and managed a two hundred thousand dollar equipment installation project for the 932d Airlift Wing's Flight Attendant Operations Center, the largest renovation to the facility in ten years. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Henderson reflect great credit upon herself, the 375th Air Mobility Wing and the United States Air Force.