Meritorious service while serving as NCOIC, Detachment 1, 7th Intelligence Squadron, 770th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance Wing, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. During this period, while deployed to Iraq, Staff Sergeant Hill optimized the use of eight ISR platforms and maximized use of the C2 bandwidth interface, resulting in a 33% UAV sortie increase. In addition, he established preventive maintenance schedules with engineer technicians, keeping high demand ISR assets airborne 98% of the time and extending the life span of $30M support systems by two years. Further, Sergeant Hill managed space information used by PACOM to notify and control Navy assets, facilitating safe transit and scheduled operations without incident. Staff Sergeant Hill's extraordinary efforts and accomplishments during this period reflect credit upon himself, the 770th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance Wing and the United States Army.
Outstanding achievement while serving as Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer, 583rd Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, FOB Salerno from XXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXX. During this period, Specialist Frank Diaz's dedication to duty and commitment to excellence greatly enhanced and expanded the functionality of the UAV section. His extensive efforts facilitated the procurement of a 20 foot container and its subsequent modification to provide storage and work space for the UAV section. Due to his diligent efforts, the UAV section moved its operations from a small guard tower and improved its operational rate by 50 percent. Specialist Diaz's actions bring great credit upon himself, the 583rd Forward Support Company and the United States Army.
Professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Tactical Operating Center Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) Mission Controller Supervisor, Balad Air Base, Balad, Iraq from July 2016 to August 2017. Sergeant Mark Baskins' uncompromising leadership, technical expertise, and relentless determination to achieve and surpass mission objectives led to the center exceeding all production goals and establishing new standards for air supported operations success. His commitment to ensuring operating procedures were followed, adapted, and improved led to the capture of high visibility targets and aided in the most productive rotation of a UAV Mission Controller Supervisor since operations commenced in 2003. Sergeant Baskins' personal initiative and unswerving devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself, the 583rd Forward Support Company and the United States Army.
Outstanding achievement while serving as Superintendent, 46th Range Support Squadron, 46th Test Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX. During this period, as Unmanned Aerial Support (UAS) NCOIC, Master Sergeant George C. Harris supervised the formation and the initial operational capability of Eglin AFB's first UAS flight. He slashed the projected deployment readiness estimate by 90 days by organizing volunteers, acquiring vehicles from other agencies, and running convoys to and from the remote test site. Additionally, faced with inclement weather, he led a dedicated effort to secure this Barrier Island Facility and its new equipment during the approach of Hurricane Gustav. Master Sergeant Harris' performance reflects great credit upon himself, the 46th Test Wing and the United States Army.
Outstanding achievement while serving as Refueling unit operator, 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, Kandahar Air Field from XXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX. During this critical period, Staff Sergeant Dale M. Aceves provided refuel support to two reaper UAVs while under attack. When the civilian contractor respnsible for providing fuel support would not beacuse the base was under attack, Sergeant Aceves volunteered to take his place. Sergeant Aceves' bravery under fire ensured continuous UAV overflights of Kandahar Air Field and provided real time information of enemy activity to front line warriors, saving coutless lives. Staff Sergeant Aceves' performance reflects great credit upon himself, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing and the United States Army.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS INFORMATION SURVEILLANCE RECONNAISSANCE (ISR) MANAGER, UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) OPERATOR, JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER, AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT FOR COASTAL RIVERINE SQUADRON TWO FROM MAY 2015 TO APRIL 2018. A CRITICAL ASSET, PETTY OFFICER CHARLES WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 700 HOURS OF TRAINING, QUALIFYING 34 EXPEDITIONARY WARRIORS, AND LEADING 8 SAILORS DURING 17 UAV MISSIONS, ENSURING THE CAPABILITY OF ISR. ADDITIONALLY, HE SET UP A JOINT TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER TO ASSIST THE COMMAND IN MAINTIANING 100% COMMUNICATIONS DURING EXERCISES INVOLVING OVER 42 COUNTRIES. FURTHER, PETTY OFFICER CHARLES IS ONE OF ONLY TWO QUALIFIED JTAC PERSONNEL AT THE COMMAND THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE FIRST AND ONLY WATERBORNE CLOSE AIR SUPPORT LIVE FIRE EVENT ABOARD THE MARK VI PATROL BOAT INVOLVING F-18 SUPER HORNETS. PETTY OFFICER CHARLES' SUPERIOR PROFESSIONALISM, LOYAL DEVOTION TO DUTY, AND EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
Staff Sergeant John B. Shields distinguished himself by meritorious service as Instrumentation Technician, 46th Range Support Squadron, 46th Range Group, 46th Test Wing, Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. During this period, Sergeant Shields demonstrated outstanding leadership during a series of deployments testing the operation of photometric cameras over fiber optic links and performed flawlessly for over 100 live-fire missile shots. The test results provided critical data needed to adapt military technologies to protect commercial airliners. His actions while standing up the Unmanned Aerial Systems flight resulted in advancing the operational schedule for the Consolidated Tool Kit inventory and equipment management systems by three months. He created tool kits from scratch, brought eight commercial machines into compliance, and reduced purchases and equipment tracking time by 25 percent, resulting in an excellent rating on an unannounced inspection. Lastly, his dedicated efforts to identify low cost vendors saved the Air Force over $9,000. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Shields reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
