AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates -- The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing celebrated their top performers during a quarterly awards ceremony at the Phantom Pavilion, October 4, 2022 at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Embracing the spirit of football season, the theme for the third quarter awards was a tailgating event. Airmen were encouraged to wear their favorite team’s jerseys and decorate their sections while they cheered on their Wingmen.
To win a wing level award, Airmen must first be selected at the squadron level and recognized as nominees before one winner is selected for each category. Those nominated are graded by a selection board based on their technical experience, demonstration of leadership, and overall job performance.
Congratulations to ADAB’s third quarter award winners:
Airman of the Quarter:
Senior Airman Joana Mae Galang, a traffic management office specialist assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, served as the lead shipment planner for the outbound cargo section. She oversaw the processing of 825 assets valued at $157 million. She also enabled the redeployment of four Navy RQ-4s by manifesting 53 equipment items totaling 53 tons. While Galang continues to improve upon herself, she is also noted as an inspiration to others, provoking her peers to pursue personal and professional enhancement as well.
Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter:
Tech. Sgt. Rejeena Whittington, a readiness and unit travel manager assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, was selected for serving her squadron’s “most diverse and innovative team” composed of eight unique job specialties. She supported the administration of 811 COVID tests, 41 referrals and 10 aero-medical evacuations. She also orchestrated four readiness exercises with three base agencies and host nation medics to prepare 17 specialized disaster response teams. She continues to mentor her Wingmen as a Master Resiliency Trainer, mentoring 17 resiliency training assistants.
Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter:
Master Sgt. Jason J. Jones, a senior enlisted leader and a medical systems administration specialist assigned to the 380th EMDS, directed medical operations such as prescriptions, laboratory results, physical therapy encounters, vaccinations, radiographs, occupational health inspections, and the ordering of 1,200 medical supplies. Jones is the sole medical systems administrator and managed a $348,000 medical enclave. He ignited strategic partnerships and resource stewardship by establishing a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Embassy, and drafted the criteria for $418,000 worth of medical equipment. As the 380th AEW’s Top III Sergeant at Arms, Jones facilitated general assemblies, moral events and professional development opportunities for the base’s Airmen.
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter:
1st Lt. Matthew Bertram, the installation deployment officer assigned to the 380th ELRS, filled the director of operations position for 60 days while overseeing 165 Airmen from eight unique job specialties, while continuing to fulfill his own duties as the IDO and Deployment and Distribution flight commander. He managed two Agile Combat Employment events, enabling Airmen to gain certifications in “Hot Pit” refueling techniques on two types of fighter jets. Bertram also led the Wing’s 100% accountability project for seaworthy and unit owned shipping containers, totaling $6.3 million resulting in the discovery of $30.2 million in assets. Bertram is also the principle advisor on the creation and operation of ADAB’s Innovation Center.
Field Grade Officer of the Quarter:
Maj. Robert Lenhart, the Chief of Aerospace Medicine assigned to the 380th EMDS, directed ADAB’s aerospace medicine enterprise as the installation’s occupational and environmental medicine consultant. As the chief flight surgeon, Lenhart executed four high-risk workplace visits, five facility inspections, and integrated 24 air samples into exposure records for 1,600 joint warfighters. He expedited care for 10 Department of Defense personnel and partnered with three host nation specialty clinics to save $512,000 in flight costs, increasing return to duty rate by 59%. Lenhart mobilized for a Military Working Dog emergency procedure where he personally stitched a MWD’s wounds, relieved pain and initiated its recovery process.
Civilian of the Quarter:
Mr. Justin Barbee, the Director of Information, Tickets and Travel assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, lobbied for resources to reduce the travel cost to more than 40 destinations. He secured a $10,000 return on investments to provide morale, welfare and recreational efforts to the 380th AEW. Barbee led EFSS marketing and ITT operational improvements by designing 15 new cultural and recreational trips for the base’s service members while strengthening the relationship with host nation partners.
Honor Guard Member of the Quarter:
Staff Sgt. Jasmine Handy, a civil engineer operations management specialist assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the base Honor Guard, demonstrated a devotion to duty and dedication to training through her performance as a volunteer member of the Honor Guard. She ensured the proper training for 20 members who performed 20 color guards for various ceremonies during her six-month deployment.
Volunteer of the Quarter:
Airman First Class Kimberly Medina Morales, a logistics planner assigned to the 380th ELRS, volunteered for numerous events during the third quarter. She served as the secretary of the First Four Council, where she coordinated leadership engagements and 10 professional seminars, enabling the mentorship of hundreds of junior enlisted Airmen at ADAB. She was a key coordinator and committee member for Women’s Equality Month, International Heritage Month and the Air Force Birthday. In addition she volunteered no less than eight hours of service for base 5K and 10K run events.
Team of the Quarter:
The 380th ELRS Traffic Management Office, was named “Team of the Quarter” after 16 Airmen conducted a base wide search, identifying a 12-year accountability loss of 667 containers w/in 72 hours and recovering $6.3 million in assets. They also liaised with the U.S. Embassy to facilitate customs clearance procedures with their host nation partners. This lead to the certification and clearance of nine freight shipments for six units, mitigating $177,000 in fees and unfroze key components pivotal to two ACE exercises. The team also directed the redeployment of 900 tons of arms, ammunition and explosives worth $515 million.
Although not a formal award, and one which can be commandeered by other squadrons throughout the quarter, the 380th AEW Spirit award — a metal sword and shield decorated with the 380th AEW crest — was awarded to the EFSS for their intensity of morale and vigor during the quarterly awards celebration. Congratulations to all of our nominees and award winners.