Surveillance Technician Awards
Senior Airman Karen R Whitney distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as Surveillance Technician, 726th Air Control Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. During this period, Airman Whitney excelled as a Surveillance Technician, identifying and tracking over four thousand aircraft for over six hundred hours. Additionally, Airman Whitney was an effective and productive Surveillance Technician Instructor, training and qualifying 28 crew members on combat identification and air picture maintenance. Further, she served as an Interface Control Technician and diligently maintained the Mountain Home Range Complex's nine thousand square mile air picture. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Whitney reflect credit upon herself, the 726th Air Control Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Thomas E. Bergin distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Surveillance Technician, 128th Air Control Squadron (ACS), Volk Field, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. During this period, Airman Bergin's extensive Battlespace Command and Control Center (BC-3) system knowledge and considerable real world mission experience ensured members of the 117th Air Control Squadron, Savannah, Georgia, were fully prepared for their upcoming AEF deployment in support of the Air Defense of the Arabian Gulf. Airman Bergin volunteered for temporary duty at the 117th ACS, making available crucial training to deploying surveillance technicians. His efforts yielded 11 crewmembers qualified on the BC-3 weapons system, a cutting edge command and control platform, instilled confidence in deploying operators, and guaranteed a seamless transition downrange. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Bergin reflect credit upon himself, the 128th Air Control Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Matthew D. McCabe distinguished himself by meritorious service as Surveillance Technician, 603rd Air Control Squadron, 31st Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. During this period, Airman McCabe maintained dual qualifications as Surveillance Technician and Electronic Protection Technician. In anticipation of the unit's Air Expeditionary Force tasking, he scheduled 68 training sessions to certify 62 members for Air Forces Central Command deployment. While deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, he logged 350 combat hours, activated 340 restricted operating zones, and protected and secured 63 forward operating bases. In addition, he aided in the resupply of 30 forward operating bases by identifying 52 air drop and transit routes, enabling the delivery of over three thousand pounds of supplies to warfighters. Finally, in support of AIR DEFENSE of ARABIAN GULF, he performed 18 radar checks, fine-tuned 20 million dollars in surveillance equipment and ensured the protection of four billion dollars worth of assets. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman McCabe reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Joel R Puckett distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Surveillance Technician, 729th Air Control Squadron, 552nd Air Control Wing, 552nd Air Control Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. During this period, Airman Puckett's superior situational awareness contributed to the expert tracking of over fifteen thousand tactical and civilian aircraft in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Moreover, as a Surveillance Technician, he enhanced 4,000 Close Air Support missions, leading to the detainment of 980 insurgents. Additionally, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he deconflicted Close Air Support and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance aircraft across sixty nautical miles of airspace, leading to the capture of the Task Force's number one High Value Individual. Further, Airman Puckett was selected to attend Weapons Director School where he graduated with a 94 percent academic average. Finally, he worked eight hours at the Hospital Helipad where he assisted hospital personnel in ensuring timely emergency care for wounded members. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Puckett reflect credit upon himself, the 729th Air Control Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Debra M. Potter distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Surveillance Technician, 726th Air Control Squadron, 552d Air Control Group, 552d Air Control Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. During this period, Sergeant Potter deployed on short notice in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE where she identified and tracked more than ten thousand aircraft across one million square miles. Additionally, she performed 400 surveillance hours, monitored 20 Combat Air Patrols, and monitored restricted airspace during four President of the United States flights. Finally, her expertise was evident when she was handpicked for a Surveillance Technician evaluation during a 12th Air Force Staff Assistance Visit resulting in the squadron receiving an overall "Excellent" rating. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Potter reflect credit upon herself, the 726th Air Control Squadron and the United States Air Force.