116th Air Control Wing honors Citizen Airmen

An array of events honoring the accomplishments, heroism and sacrifice of 116th Air Control Wing members was held at the Museum of Aviation, Century of Flight hangar on Feb. 9.

Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, the adjutant general, Georgia National Guard, presided over events to include an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award presentation; the Georgia Medal of Valor presentation; the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal presentation; a workplace safety award presentation and the prestigious Hometown Heroes Salute.

Col. Kevin Clotfelter, the 116th Air Control Wing commander, accepted the AFOUA for the wing’s distinguished and exceptional meritorious service and outstanding achievements.

Providing direct support to Operation Enduring Freedom, the wing surpassed a cumulative 83,000 combat flying hours. In addition, during the award period, the 116th Maintenance Group generated 1,033 deployed sorties.

“Only a stellar team of well-trained, efficient and adaptable people can excel in what was our wing’s highest operational tempo in history while meeting combatant commanders’ insatiable demand for combined C2 and ISR,” said Clotfelter, 116th Air Control Wing commander.

The 116th ACW has the most AFOUAs compared to other Air National Guard units, according to the National Guard Bureau historian. Wing members will be allowed to wear the AFOUA ribbon with the corresponding devices signifying the number of times the same award has been given to the unit.

The Georgia Medal of Valor was given to Senior Airman Joey Defore, a graduate of Northside High School and a 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron member. Defore rescued six children and two adults from an overturned school bus after it slid into a ditch and rolled onto its side in Warner Robins on Aug. 15, 2013.

“We are Airmen dedicated to defending our nation with a deep-rooted responsibility to protect our citizens because they are dear to us,” said Chief Master Sgt. Emory Dean, 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron superintendent. “Airman Defore displayed the essence of a Citizen Airman.”

While aboard a flight destined for pre-deployment training, three part-time Georgia Air National Guard members performed CPR on a passenger several rows away. For embracing the true Minuteman spirit, the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal will be presented to 116th Security Forces Squadron personnel Master Sgt. Richard Ross, and Tech. Sgts. Dominick Andrews and Timothy White.

Also, the 116th Maintenance Squadron received the Labor of Excellence Award for exceptional workplace safety.

Lt. Col. Rich Ulmen, 116th Maintenance Squadron commander, accepted the squadron’s third safety award for achieving 2,385 shifts without a workday loss.

In conclusion, marking the last National Guard Bureau sponsored Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony; approximately 120 full-time and part-time Air National Guard personnel were recognized for their service and sacrifice in support of a deployment or contingency. To date, Team JSTARS has recognized approximately 1,600 personnel for their sacrifice.

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