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Operations Citations
Maintenance Operations Controller
Staff Sergeant Shawn M. Sutamavong distinguished himself by meritorious service as Maintenance Operations Controller, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Staff, Undisclosed Location. During this period, Sergeant Sutamavong deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, filling a critical manning shortfall. He processed maintenance status and needs for eight units comprised of sixty-four aircraft across seven airframes, completing one thousand eight hundred status changes, and facilitated the delivery of five million seven hundred thousand pounds of fuel, enabling thirty-two thousand one hundred and thirty-six flight hours. Additionally, Sergeant Sutamavong executed one hundred thirty-eight quick reaction checklists where he initiated emergency personnel response for seventeen injuries, and fifteen in-flight and ground emergencies, safeguarding one thousand sixty-three maintenance personnel, and the wings six-billion-dollar aircraft fleet. Finally, Sergeant Sutamavong teamed with production and operations to create a consolidated maintenance and flying schedule, facilitating the uninterrupted generation of four thousand one hundred seventy-nine sorties, and two hundred and sixty-nine thousand pounds of ordinance. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Sutamavong reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Director of Operations, Coalition Partner Integration Enterprise
Captain Christopher D. Lippmann distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to the Coalition Partner Integration Enterprise, from 25 September 2025 to 30 June 2026. During this period, Captain Lippmann's exceptional leadership and strategic foresight were instrumental in the overwhelming success of critical intelligence operations supporting both United States Central Command and United States Africa Command. Fulfilling the role of Director of Operations, a position normally reserved for a Major, he expertly managed the daily administrative and operational needs for a diverse coalition team of 69 personnel from 11 different nations. He revitalized an outdated training program and rewrote the Standard Operating Procedures, which directly led to a 25 percent reduction in end-of-mission product errors and the successful execution of over 43,000 hours of Full Motion Video Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination. Demonstrating unparalleled foresight and diplomatic skill, Captain Lippmann spearheaded a critical contingency plan in response to emerging regional threats. He liaised directly with Major Command, Numbered Air Force, and British Royal Air Force commands to identify a viable worksite outside the Area of Responsibility, securing a suitable facility through direct engagement with foreign partners. His decisive action resulted in the emergency movement of 24 team members, preserving vital mission continuity for Operations INHERENT RESOLVE just prior to the start of hostilities. Furthermore, his diplomatic acumen was pivotal in expanding international cooperation, successfully integrating three new partner nations and facilitating the return of analysts from two other nations after a three-year hiatus, thereby increasing the coalition footprint by an unprecedented 80 percent. A key architect of future intelligence operations, Captain Lippmann orchestrated a proof of concept that expanded the scope of support to include high-altitude U-2 missions, providing critical analysis for counter-ISIS problem sets. He expanded the organization's mission into the Africa Command theater, creating a viable path for continued operational relevance post-Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Additionally, he coordinated the integration of six new ultra-endurance platforms and bespoke low-cost assets, dramatically enhancing operational reach. His expertise was regularly sought by senior leaders; he briefed numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United States Flag Officers, solidifying key partnerships and significantly increasing visibility for the operation across the international stage. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Captain Lippmann reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
Director of Operations
Major Kyle L. Waller distinguished himself by outstanding achievement to the United States as Director of Operations, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, 409th Air Expeditionary Group, 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, Agadez, Niger. During this period, Major Waller led daily operations for 32 units and 750 joint personnel and executed a 144 million dollar budget in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-JUNIPER SHIELD. He directed and executed base security and sustainment operations for the installation and coordinated with eight agencies to install 150 T-Walls, reinforce eight bunkers, and fortify defensive fighting positions to complete a critical phase of AB201's base perimeter fortification construction project. Furthermore, Major Waller planned and executed SOCAF's first integration of MQ-9 operations into AB201. His exceptional interpersonal skills curbed tensions between competing stakeholders while fostering a smooth transition of four aircraft and seventy nine personnel to meet a fourteen day suspense to have the ISR mission back up and operational to accomplish AFRICOM's top priority. Finally, Major Waller planned and executed the AB 101 and AB 201's RIP/TOA, transitioning 1200 Airmen, Guardians, and contractors in and out of West Africa. His foresight and critical problem solving skills proved to be invaluable during a contested operational environment in Niger and the first iteration of the new AFFORGEN deployment model. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major Waller reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Augmentee, Operation Capitol Response
Airman First Class Bryan Macias distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while deployed in support of Operation Capitol Response 21, while assigned to the 113th Fighter Wing, Washington District of Columbia Air National Guard, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland from March 19, 2021 to May 31, 2021. During this period, Airman Macias remained flexible and agile during the in and out processing of Airmen and Soldiers. He in-processed over 200 service members and out-processed more than 80 active duty and Reserve troops from seven states to ensure accountability. In addition, Airman Macias coordinated daily with the Chaplain Corps, the Public Affairs Office, and the District of Columbia National Guard Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to ensure in processing personnel received the appropriate briefings for their respective missions. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Macias reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Augmentee, Operation Capitol Response
Senior Airman Bryan Angelo Tenoso distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Security Force member, 154th Security Forces Squadron, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. During this period, Airman Tenoso deployed in support of Operation Capitol Response and supervised five entry level Airmen's integration into a joint service mission. As Lead trainer for DC Task Force Hawaii, he provided more than 100 hours of training in weapons and Use of Force, qualifying more than 70 Soldiers and resulting in the successful deescalation of four incidents in the surrounding Washington, DC neighborhood. In addition, Airman Tenoso was responsible for supplying Domestic Operation equipment to 60 service members to ensure 100% United States Capitol civil unrest readiness. He transported 154th Security Forces Squadron M9 pistols, while maintaining security of weapon systems to ensure 100% weapon accountability of seven M9 and 68 M17 service pistols throughout the Capital Response mission. Further, as support for the United States Capitol Police, he executed more than 60 hours of Entry Control Point duties and more than 100 hours of roving patrol within the Capitol and Senate buildings, securing more than 20 Flag Officers and 50 Senate members. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Tenoso reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Director of Operations, 31st Maintenance Squadron
Meritorious service while serving as Director of Operations, 31st Maintenance Squadron, 31st Maintenance Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy, from 27 August 2019 to 11 June 2023. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Captain Talmadge resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 31st Fighter Wing's crucial integration with 25 NATO partners and the execution of over 33,000 flying hours. In addition, Captain Talmadge stood up a mission sustainment command and control element within Aviano's Wing Operations Center in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine which facilitated the 31st Fighter Wing's seamless alignment with the NATO Air Tasking Order, and enabled over 3,000 combat air patrols. Moreover, as Officer in Charge, 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, he led mission generation and support efforts of three Wings during Exercise THRACIAN VIPER, validating NATO's enhanced Air Policing tactics and increasing F-16 aircrew combat mission ready certifications by twenty five percent. Finally, as Director of Operations, Captain Talmadge upheld the highest standards of the Wing's nuclear surety program, supporting seven surety exercises and garnering the squadron's 2022 USAFE Maintenance Effectiveness Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Talmadge reflect credit upon himself, the 31st Fighter Wing, and the United States Air Force.
Chief, Strategic Communications
Major Richard F. Altherr distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Chief, Strategic Communications and Non-Kinetic Information Operations Planning, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. During this period, Major Altherr led the communication team in planning for the standup of the Air Force's first joint task force command, effectively educating 29,000 Airmen about this critical Secretary of the Air Force priority. From a warfighting perspective, Major Altherr served as lead communication advisor to the Coalition Forces Air Component Commander during May 2016 Syria strike operations, effectively synching Air Force and Department of Defense messaging and information regarding the first-ever use of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range in combat operations, reported by over 30 national and international media outlets to demonstrate coalition capability. As a fully qualified public affairs, information operations, and military information support operations planner, Major Altherr served as subject matter expert to help stand up command data and knowledge management working groups, prevented classified information spillage during a critical MISO product review, and led command operations security reset efforts to include creating an effective command policy and training program for eight command program managers, impacting all deployers within the command's area of responsibility. He was a critical leader in early command efforts to execute Secretary of Defense directive to integrate information as the 7th Joint Function, and authored an integrated communication planning framework that envisioned how the command could meet this requirement in the future. Major Altherr's efforts culminated in his selection by Headquarters, Air Force, to continue these information and communication integration efforts on behalf of the entire Air Force as part of the Vice Chief of Staff-sponsored Operations in the Information Environment innovation effort. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major Altherr reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.