Operational Medicine Awards
Staff Sergeant Natasha A. Brooks distinguished herself by meritorious service as Flight and Operational Medicine Technician, 66th Medical Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2026. Sergeant Brooks was hand-selected for the White House Joint Task Force, overseeing 29 medics in executing 14,000 medical screenings and safeguarding Presidential staff. She led the largest Personnel Reliability and Assurance Program in United States Air Forces in Europe, adjudicating 11,700 records and modernizing ten courses to solidify nuclear capabilities for 35,000 personnel. Additionally, as Flight Medicine Officer in Charge, she overhauled occupational medical exam programs, driving a 94 percent mission-ready rate and propelling Hanscom's readiness 35 percent above the Air Force average. Furthermore, Sergeant Brooks established a weekly walk-in clinic resolving a disease gap for 530 patients, validated 213 competencies for three medics, and led a six-member team that salvaged 36,000 items during the Air Force's largest power failure. Finally, she expanded base resilience instructor capacity by 50 percent and boosted return-to-duty rates by 68 percent for 463 personnel. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Brooks reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Brandi Hood distinguished herself by meritorious service as Flight and Operational Medicine Element Chief, 92d Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, 92d Medical Group, 92d Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Hood contributed to the effectiveness and success of the squadron. Her oversight of thirty-four training records, validation of life support training for sixty-one members and audits of competency training folders for twenty-eight staff, assured trusted care standards were maintained for over 2,100 patients. Additionally, Sergeant Hood established the Group's Tactical Combat Casualty Care program by certifying thirty-seven instructor cadre while also administering direct instruction to seventy-eight personnel to fulfil a Secretary of Defense training initiative. Furthermore, her execution of 132 medical record reviews and processing of 496 readiness requirements enabled the base's rapid support of Operation ALLIES REFUGE by medically clearing fifty-five warfighters in less than ninety-six hours. Moreover, Sergeant Hood managed the Group's Periodic Health Assessment program by supporting 4,200 patient visits and secured a 99.4 percent completion rate, securing the number one ranked program in command which was crucial to her being recognized as the Squadron's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Hood reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.