Reservists recognized for meritorious service

  • Published
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Eleven 507th Air Refueling Wing members were recently presented the Meritorious Service Medal during the April 11 Commander's Call.

Awarded were Lieutenant Colonel Russell B. Howard, Majors Amee C. Howard and William S. Young; Senior Master Sergeants James J. Eye, Jr., Robert M. Gaspar, and Jodie D. Schaefer; Master Sergeants Gary L. Johnson, Michael E. Thomas, and Jeffrey A. Tyler; and Technical Sergeants Robert L. Mussyal, and Christopher O. Scott.

Lieutenant Colonel Russell B. Howard distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron, 507th Mission Support Group, 507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Among other accomplishments, Major Howard led 49 Airmen on an ADVON team for Operation PATRIOT AUTUMN to sharpen wing mission readiness. He stood up the emergency operations center, established command and control and completed all planned activities on schedule. He demonstrated superior mentoring skills by assigning inexperienced officers to key positions; then, he coached and guided them to success.

Major Amee C. Howard then assigned to the 513th Operations Support Flight distinguished herself while supervising two officers and five Airmen who were instrumental in the implementation of training and delivery of nearly 80 E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System removable media assembly kits. Seizing the initiative and making their pre-flight process far more efficient for aircrew, their efforts reduced mission delays on Unit Training Assembly weekend sorties to zero. Her leadership was crucial to the development of deployed ground communication and computer fly-away kits filling a critical qualification training deficiency and ensuring her section remained combat mission ready.

Major William S. Young distinguished himself while assigned to the 72d Aerial Port Squadron. Among other accomplishments, he demonstrated exceptional management and leadership by enhancing his unit's Mobility, Security, Air Transportation Standardization Evaluation, and Self-Evaluation, Quality Control programs to assist in unit mobility requirements. He revamped the squadron's upgrade training program, increasing the unit's 5-skill level capability by 40 percent in an 18-month period. Finally, as a direct result of his dynamic leadership, he was selected into the position of Squadron Commander to lead the 72d Aerial Port "Dawgs" in to the next decade and through their next challenges.

Senior Master Sergeant James J. Eye, Jr. distinguished himself while assigned to the 72nd Aerial Port Squadron. Among other accomplishments, as air transportation superintendent, he served as the superintendent for Ramp Services and Special Handling where his leadership ensured a 100 percent on-time training schedule that provided the unit with 42 qualified individuals. Due to his expertise as lead "Port Dawg," he was singled out for exceptional mission execution and earned "Superior Performer" during the wing's 350 person, aircraft including C-130s, KC-135s and C-5As, Operational Readiness Exercise, PATRIOT PRIDE at the Gulfport, Mississippi Combat Readiness Training Center, in March 2008.

Senior Master Sergeant Robert M. Gaspar distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Operations Group. Among other accomplishments, as superintendent of intelligence, Sergeant Gaspar supported numerous wing activations, deployments and exercises; all with skill. His benchmark accounting system tracks reserve man-day resource allocations and he was vital in the first of its kind Air Force Reserve Command, Air National Guard KC-135R Tanker association; integrating two intelligence teams; reducing manpower shortfalls and improving products. He served a two-year term as Vice President, Tinker Reserve Top Three Council, and as President pro tem during vacancies and was instrumental in conceiving and developing the "Okie Pride" award, presented to the group commander with the highest participation rate.

Senior Master Sergeant Jodie D. Schaefer distinguished herself while assigned to the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron. Among other accomplishments, assigned as contingency war plans operations superintendent, she was responsible for the oversight and coordination of 45 awarded decorations and submission of 13 annual civil engineer awards. Of the 13 awards submitted, eight were selected at Air Force Reserve Command level and on was selected as runner up at Air Force level. Finally, she was recognized as the "Prime Beef expert in the command" by 4th Air Force, due to her comprehensive knowledge of Prime Beef programs and can do attitude contributing immeasurably to the overall success of the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Master Sergeant Gary L. Johnson distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Maintenance Squadron. Among other accomplishments, while deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, his exemplary system knowledge was pivotal in identifying engine performance degradations resulting from improperly mixed NATO-supplied fuel sources, which resulted in higher engine exhaust temperatures. Left unchecked, the excess heat buildup would have resulted in catastrophic engine failure. A true professional, Sergeant Johnson was a key driver for Operation NOBLE EAGLE, where his efforts resulted in 2.9 million pounds of fuel off-loaded during 85 missions to 217 coalition receivers.

Master Sergeant Michael E. Thomas distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron. Among other accomplishments, Sergeant Thomas, deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, he was tasked to develop a Full Spectrum Threat Response plan for the base. In four short weeks, he single-handedly crafted and coordinated the implementation of Al Dhafra's first operation's plan. Without his extensive knowledge and expert leadership, the plan could not have been completed, let alone implemented, in such a short period. Recognized not only as a high-speed senior noncommissioned officer, but also a subject matter expert, upon his return to Tinker Air Force Base, he was immediately tasked with preparation of the 507th Air Refueling Wing's Full Spectrum Threat Response Operating Instruction.

Master Sergeant Jeffrey A. Tyler distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Maintenance Squadron. Among other accomplishments, Sergeant Tyler tenaciously fulfilled his duties and responsibilities of maintaining all aspects of survival equipment, resulting in zero equipment related mishaps. As noncommissioned officer in charge of the fabrication flight, he was instrumental in the designing of new engine covers to celebrate the KC-135's 50th Anniversary, resulting in improved function, durability, and appearance. Additionally, his relentless drive and dedication were evident in all endeavors and recognized through award of Maintenance Professional of the Quarter and nomination for Maintenance Professional of the Year, as well as directly contributing to the squadron's "Outstanding" rating during its Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program Inspection.

Technical Sergeant Robert L. Mussyal distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Security Forces Squadron. Among other accomplishments, Sergeant Mussyal was deployed to multiple wing-level operational readiness exercises and inspections in which he performed flawlessly as second-in-command of his squad, thereby receiving high marks from inspectors for outstanding performance. He was placed under Presidential mobilization orders and deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM for more than 188 days. His knowledge of local customs and linguistic skills were instrumental toward the safety of base personnel of more than 6,000 multinational forces, thereby helping relieve the burden from undermanned Army translators.

Technical Sergeant Christopher O. Scott distinguished himself while assigned to the 507th Security Force Squadron. Among other accomplishments, Sergeant Scott was instrumental in the mission of the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, performing admirably as assistant readiness specialist in a very diverse and highly visible area. While at the Readiness Center, he assisted over 20,000 Tinker Air Force Base personnel, including over ten distinguished visitor tours, answered more than 30,000 readiness inquiries and provided guidance to in excess of 9,000 walk-in customers with the immediate needs. He was placed under Presidential mobilization orders and deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, where he protected 6,000 coalition forces and six billion dollars in Air Force resources. Throughout this deployment, his leadership, in depth knowledge of Air Force physical security requirements and air base defense skills repeatedly won him recognition from the Defense Force Commander.