Public Affairs Citations

Photo Studio Section Supervisor

Staff Sergeant Gage A. Daniel distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, from 2 August 2021 to 3 August 2024. During this period, Sergeant Daniel improved and streamlined processes within the photo studio section and trained six Airmen on photo basics and official photo procedures, resulting in more efficient customer service for more than 12 thousand installation customers. He captured and provided photo and video coverage of multiple distinguished visitors to include the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Governor of Georgia, multiple First Ladies, and the President of the United States. Additionally, he designed the Wing's social media communication plan, synchronizing more than one hundred social media posts, expanding reach by over six hundred percent to 14.5 thousand viewers. Further, he coordinated and led six base tours, showcasing the Air Force Reserve's missions and capabilities to 240 stakeholders. Staff Sergeant Daniel's work culminated with his being selected as the 94th Airlift Wing's Wing Staff Agencies Airman of the Year for 2022. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Douglas reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

NCOIC, Media Operations Center

Master Sergeant Maria V. Butler distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as NCOIC, Media Operations Center, National Guard Bureau, Mississippi Army National Guard. During this period, while deployed in support of Exercise Southern Strike 2022, Sergeant Butler served as Public Affairs Officer and provided media support for more than 2,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and civilians. As NCOIC, she led 12 Soldiers and Airmen in overseeing public affairs operations for the Mississippi National Guard's largest Joint and International Training Exercise. Her efforts led to the release of more than one hundred public affairs photos, videos, stories, and graphics. Additionally, she served in the Exercise Joint Operations Center as a Public Affairs Officer to coordinate with exercise liaison officers, facilitating one hundred percent coverage of all exercise participating units while emphasizing individual unit achievements. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Butler reflect credit upon herself, the Mississippi Army National Guard and the United States Air Force.

Public Affairs Craftsman

Staff Sergeant Rachel L. Bellamy distinguished herself by meritorious service as Public Affairs Craftsman, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, from XXXX XXXXX to XXXXX XXXX. During this period, Sergeant Bellamy oversaw the efforts of ten team members in the production of visual information and news stories, increasing unit productivity by fifty percent and communicating the Wing's ability to provide airpower in support of special operations to outside agencies world-wide. Additionally, as one of only two operational support flyers, Sergeant Bellamy trained three Public Affairs specialists on aerial documentation, completing 80 flight hours and providing Air Force leadership with relevant imagery of operational objectives. Further, while deployed in support of the Nato Special Operations Component Command, she documented a hostage recovery mission where 15 prisoners of war were freed and captured images that positively influenced public opinion. Finally, Sergeant Bellamy ensured accurate Special Tactics portrayal for the Air Force Recruiting Service's $1.5 million dollar 4-D Special Tactics experience, which resulted in over 10,000 recruiting leads per year for the Special Operations community. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Bellamy reflect credit upon herself, the 1st Special Operations Wing, and the United States Air Force.

Public Affairs Officer

Major Stacie [Last Name] distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Public Affairs Officer, Space Launch Delta 30, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. During this period, Major [Last Name] led a 12-member team providing trusted counsel to Delta senior leaders, 12 squadrons, and 52 tenant units, managing media operations and crisis response for $16 billion in assets and 11,000 personnel. She revolutionized responsive space public relations during the United States Space Force's inaugural rapid response launch, achieving a 20 percent reduction in imagery distribution time and reaching 27 million people within five hours. As Acting Public Affairs Chief for Combined Force Space Component Command, she directed communications for Space Command's largest Global Sentinel 25-nation event, publishing 150 photos and 37 articles that reached 65 million people. Major [Last Name] implemented innovative workflow tools that increased task efficiency by 80 percent while identifying nine growth opportunities that led to a 50 percent increase in training. Furthermore, she advanced the Department of Defense's mission as a DAF-Certified Professional Innovator, championing Space Launch Delta 30's innovation hub and serving as an Air University Project Mercury instructor, which secured $1.9 million in Agile Combat Employment funding. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion manifested in cofounding the Women of Vandenberg Empowerment Network, growing membership from 6 to over 100 members, and leading 10 committees through 15 events. The distinctive accomplishments of Major [Last Name] culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of her country and reflect great credit upon herself, the United States Space Force, and the Department of the Air Force.

Chief of Public Affairs

Captain Randall L. Barfield distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Chief of Public Affairs, 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming. During this period, Captain Barfield deployed on three occasions to support Public Affairs missions. He deployed in support of NATO-led Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR and captured video and hundreds of photographs of coalition aircraft being refueled, assisting Libya liberation efforts. Additionally, he deployed with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing during the historic drawdown in Iraq and was recognized by the Air Force Central Command Public Affairs director for his outstanding support of multiple media escorts. He also worked with local, national, and international partners as a media liaison, fostering positive, global coverage and documented the final combat mission over Iraq. Further, while assigned at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Captain Barfield supported more than 150 dignified transfer events for Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, AND NEW DAWN's fallen heroes. Finally, he led the Public Affairs team to win three third-place titles at the National Guard Bureau level, five Wyoming Press Association awards, and was named as a member for the Air Force Reserve Command's Best Crisis Communication Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Barfield reflect credit upon himself, the Wyoming National Guard and the United States Air Force.

The 3N0X1 Public Affairs career field merged with photography
and is now AFSC 3N0X5 Public Affairs/ Photojournalism