Airman Charles S. Smith distinguished himself by meritorious service as Junior Enlisted, Optometry Services Journeyman, 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 325th Medical Group, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, from 20 April 2016 to 20 August 2019. During this period, while serving as Flight NCOIC as a 3-level, Senior Airman Smith expertly led a team of two Optometrists and two contract technicians, superbly managing his flight and treating over 500 patients per month despite a 20 percent manning shortage. As acting NCOIC, he led the Optometry clinic to reach over 110 percent of their business plan for 2 consecutive years. His involvement was critical to the overhaul of the Corneal Refractive Surgery Program and helped streamline the process for more than 400 warriors. His focus on the mission and care of his patients was instrumental in the 325 MDG being recognized as 2017 Top Large Clinic in the AF and 2018 AETC Best Clinic by the Air Force Surgeon General. His leadership and dedication to duty earned him the AETC Col. Donald D. Dunton Ophthalmic Airmen of the Year Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST, OPHTHALMOLOGY, DIRECTORATE FOR SURGICAL SERVICES, NAVY MEDICINE READINESS AND TRAINING COMMAND, CAMP PENDLETON FROM AUGUST 2019 TO FEBRUARY 2023. PETTY OFFICER HERNANDEZ PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL EXPERTISE AS A SENIOR OCULAR TECHNICIAN FOR FOUR OPHTHALMOLOGISTS AND TWO OPTOMETRISTS, DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY SURGICAL CARE TO 1,456 MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PATIENTS. ADDITIONALLY, HE ASSUMED THE DUTIES HELD BY THREE TECHNICIANS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF 512 REFRACTIVE AND 78 MAIN OPERATING ROOM SURGERIES AND PROCURED AND TRACKED $1.2 MILLION WORTH OF INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTS RESULTING IN ONE HUNDRED PERCENT PATIENT SATISFACTION. MOREOVER, HE WAS NOMINATED FOR JUNIOR SAILOR OF THE QUARTER, SECOND QUARTER, FISCAL YEAR 2021. PETTY OFFICER HERNANDEZ'S EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM, UNRELENTING PERSERVERANCE, AND LOYAL DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
