Airman Patterson wins AFRC award

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Airman Michelle Patterson, an Infrastructure Technician, received the Airman of the Year award in the Communications Electronic Systems category. A resident of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Airman Patterson entered the Air Force and Air Force Reserve in 2005.

Airman Patterson was one of four Airmen from the 35th Combat Communications Squadron receiving top honors in this year's Air Force Reserve Command's 2009 Communications and Information Awards program.

Lt. Col. Pete Peterson, 35th CBCS commander, praised the squadron Airmen receiving awards. "They are sharp people. Their recognition stems from their outstanding efforts during our recent Operational Readiness Inspection," he said .

Since her entry she has consistently provided solid technical expertise and served as a driving force supporting her squadron, leading up to its receiving the first combat communications team 'Excellent' ORI rating.  She demonstrated superior responsibility and dedication through volunteering to serve 70 duty days to inventory and maintain critical assets.

Airman Patterson aggressively pursued each and all training opportunity presented to her. She engaged in cutting-edge tactical deployable communications training, becoming the first in her squadron to train on Initial Communications Element (ICE)
equipment, devoting 80 hours to manufacturer's initial training class. She cross-trained on satellite communication equipment, filling an unexpected squadron shortage, to become 100 perent qualified in two weeks. She also received certification as a hazardous cargo monitor by attending a 16 hour class. During the ORI she was responsible for certifying 44 pallets and 61 items.

Her leaders describe her as a highly dedicated individual. Not only did she enroll in Airman Leadership School correspondence course during last year's high ORI ops tempo, she also mentored and sponsored new Airmen to orientate them into the squadron and developed a career development course (CDC) review program.  Her personal self-improvement efforts include her graduating a 40 hour security and network certification class, receiving a special experience duty identifier and earning 61 credit hours toward her Community College of the Air Force Electronic Systems Technology Associate degree.  She was also lauded and coined by Air Force Space Command and Air Combat Command Inspector General cadre for her knowledge and abilities.