Superintendent Citations

Superintendent, Space and Missile Propulsion Division

Senior Master Sergeant George R. Griffith distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Superintendent of Detachment 7, Space and Missile Propulsion Division, Propulsion Directorate, Air Force Materiel Command, Edwards Air Force Base, California from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, Sergeant Griffith's operations-honed experience and impeccable leadership were indispensible assets to site operations involving over 500 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and to the preparation for an Air Force Materiel Command Unit Compliance Inspection. In preparation for the inspection, he meticulously reviewed and evaluated 127 major command checklists for applicability, revised the site's munitions program, and injected Quality Assurance into all procedures and reviews to ensure future compliance. His efforts improved the logistics program from a grade of marginal to "best seen in AFRL to date" by the Inspector General. Additionally, during an Upper Stage Engine Technology hydrogen flow test, Sergeant Griffith identified and mitigated a "showstopper" in the control system software that could have quickly led to the catastrophic failure of a three million dollar advanced turbopump and termination of the 130 million dollar engine development program. Finally, through intrusive mentoring and leadership, he focused the site's enlisted force on the rocket propulsion mission, ensuring effective support for over 100 research and development programs and enabling the flawless execution of over 40 tests per year at the 2.5 billion dollar complex. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Senior Master Sergeant Griffith reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Materiel Command and the United States Air Force.

Sortie Support Superintendent

Master Sergeant David Baumberger distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Sortie Support Superintendent, 18th Fighter Generation Squadron, 354th Maintenance Group, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. During this period, Sergeant Baumberger penned the Wing's Alert Standard Operating Procedures, executed two no-notice generations, and 284 scrambles. His actions resulted in 47 adversary intercepts, safeguarded North America, and earned him the Group's Maintenance Professional of the First Quarter. Additionally, Sergeant Baumberger advanced National Defense Authorization Act directives ensuring 11 divestment and 18 acceptance timelines were met. His efforts guaranteed maximum aircraft availability for the flying hour program and North American Aerospace Defense Command requirements. Furthermore, Sergeant Baumberger was hand-picked as the Group's Interim First Sergeant for seven months, resolved six domestic crises, advised command on a maltreatment case, and responded to a self-harm case. His dedication provided vital counseling support, ensured victim protection and preserved unit welfare. Finally, Sergeant Baumberger was by-name requested to stand-up the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron when he built a Commander Support Staff with 38 programs in three months to support 700 Airmen. His endeavors culminated in his team and him earning the Wing's 2023 Team, the Squadron's 2024 Maintenance Professional, 2025 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and 2026 Lance P. Sijan Leadership awards. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Baumberger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Superintendent, Civil Engineering Squadron

Senior Master Sergeant John A. Smith distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to the 123rd Civil Engineering Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts. During this period, Sergeant Smith's outstanding professional skills, knowledge and leadership aided in the successful completion of numerous engineering, emergency management, fire protection and explosive ordnance disposal assignments during deployments overseas and within the United States. Recognized base-wide for his expertise within the career field, Sergeant Smith presented a presentation at a career enlisted workshop, hosted a Senior Noncommissioned Officer leadership development course, and served as president of the Westover First Sergeant's Council. A tenacious advocate for the career development of the squadron's airmen, his persistent encouragement resulted in an overwhelming 50 percent increase of Community College of the Air Force graduations as well as an 80% increase in Joint Professional Military Education course completions. While participating at SILVER FLAG, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sergeant Smith served as the deployed location's First Sergeant, responsible for a joint team comprised of over 150 personnel from 4 different bases. Sergeant Smith's extraordinary leadership was recognized, and he was lauded as an Outstanding Performer by school cadre and command leadership. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Deployed Production Superintendent

Master Sergeant Randy W. Golleher distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as deployed Production Superintendent, 60th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Group, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Sergeant Golleher oversaw all MQ-1B maintenance in support of operations generating over 300 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance sorties, resulting in more than 6.3 thousand hours of armed combat air patrols over task force targets. Additionally, he managed the fleet's entire aviation fuel supply, working with Air Force Central Command, Africa Command, and local air operations contractors to coordinate delivery, storage, and handling of over 12 thousand gallons of locally stored fuel, ensuring fleet aircraft could sustain 22 hour sorties at any time. Finally, Sergeant Golleher directed the first ever hard landing inspection and rebuild of a crashed Predator aircraft, returning an Air Force Central Command asset to fully mission capable status in less than two weeks and saving the Air Force $4.2 million in replacement costs. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Golleher reflect great credit upon himself, the 60th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Superintendent, Special Warfare Mission Support

Master Sergeant Rene Hernandez distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Special Warfare Mission Support Superintendent, 7th Air Support Operations Squadron, 93d Air Ground Operations Wing, 3d Air Ground Operations Group, Fort Bliss Army Installation, Texas. During this time Sergeant Hernandez distinguished himself as the unit Self-Assessment Program Manager. He drove the compliance and closure of 60 observations and 57 Inspector General deficiencies for two Unit Effectiveness Inspections and earned Superior Performer. Furthermore, he overhauled the Unit Deployment Manager program and aligned manning and equipment to depict real-time capabilities for 23 Unit Type Codes valued at 34.9 million dollars. He deployed 113 Joint Tactical Air Controllers to three Combatant Commands and supported 12 joint units, 5,000 soldiers, and enabled 14,300 missions. Additionally, he established the Commander's Support Staff unit out-processing, easing 2,200 Permanent Change of Station actions that saved $4,500 in vouchers and 120 man hours a year. Moreover, he led the unit's equipment turn-in and disposed of 1,153 obsolete communications items valued at 5.3 million dollars. Finally, Sergeant Hernandez coordinated with the Communications Focal Point amid the pandemic and enabled 25 key leadership telework capabilities, averting mission delays for 135 Tactical Air Control Party personnel. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Hernandez reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Superintendent, Test Support Squadron

Master Sergeant Cody A. Russel distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Group Vehicle Fleet Manager and Superintendent, 746th Test Support Squadron, 46th Test Group, 46th Test Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, Master Sergeant Russel managed the maintenance and operation of the 46th Test Group's fleet of 191 vehicles valued at $24.9 million. His diligent administration of the Test Group's General Services Administration fuel consumption program insured the Test Group was reimbursed for as much as $40,000 a year and his experience with vehicle operations enabled him to routinely negotiate the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron's critical vehicle status to provide specialty vehicles for high visibility tests across the Test Group. Additionally, his management of the Test Group's vehicle fleet led to repeated "Outstanding" ratings from the Logistics Readiness Squadron and his program was lauded as one of the best in the 49th Wing. Finally, as the Squadron Security Manager he repeatedly guided the 746th Test Support Squadron through Group and Wing level inspections with zero findings. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Russel culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Superintendent, RED HORSE Squadron

Senior Master Sergeant Russell T. Brashars distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Superintendent, Utilities, 556th RED HORSE Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. During this period, the extensive knowledge of the utilities and construction field, professionalism, and leadership abilities of Sergeant Brashars directly contributed to the successful operations of the Utilities shop. While deployed to the United States Air Force Academy, for a Troop Training Project, he led a team of thirty, multi-skilled craftsmen and built an eight thousand five hundred and forty square foot K-span structure. Sergeant Brashars negotiated sixty five plus mile per hour winds and erected two hundred forty linear feet of steel arches. Construction was completed within two weeks. Anticipating weather delays, Sergeant Brashars identified and listed three hundred thousand dollars of material for water, sewer, and gas systems, to be delivered on time, cutting strict construction timelines by seven days. Additionally, Sergeant Brashars deployed to Gallup, New Mexico in support of OPERATION Footprint. He led a team of eight craftsmen and oversaw construction of three, 800 square feet, five room houses for underprivileged Native Americans. Furthermore, Sergeant Brashars assisted the Joint Base Langley utility shop with relocating ninety six linear feet of a main water line, utilizing expert multi-craft aid and reduced job completion time by 33%. Finally, his broad background facilitated preparing thirty three environmental control units for the squadron's Organizational Readiness Exercise. All units were in place within seventy two hours of tasking. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Senior Master Sergeant Brashars culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Operations Superintendent, Services Squadron

Master Sergeant Carol B. Austin distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Operations Superintendent, 94th Services Squadron, 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia from 11 October 2009 to 16 October 2012. In addition, Sergeant Austin deployed as the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron Fitness Center Non commissioned officer in charge at Ali Al Salem Kuwait from 13 February to 17 August 2010, where she led the second largest fitness operation in Air Force Central Command, supporting 3,200 personnel. She successfully ran 45 special programs, over one hundred fitness classes, and organized an Air Force versus Army All-Star Basketball game. Her expert management and training of 25 Services Journeymen spurred a 50 percent increase in productivity. Further, Sergeant Austin's dedication to the morale of the 386th Expeditionary Wing was recognized by Lt General Charles Stenner, Commander, Air Force Reserve Command. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Austin reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.