WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing is proud to announce the following Airmen as the first quarter CY 20 award winners;
Airman of the Quarter
Senior Airman Taylor Fife. 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician, is the 445th Airlift Wing Airman of the Quarter. Fife played a vital role in the Patriot Warrior exercise where she teamed up with 7,000 participants and accomplished eight United Kingdom and United State critical care air transport team missions. She achieved flight upgrade after flying 34 sorties for a total of 128 hours, maintaining 100 percent mission readiness. Fife was chosen for an AE operational mission, flying two CONUS operations supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel while organizing and leading the safe care of 12 patients and an AE crew. Fife maintained the squadron’s IT Electronic Health Record, a $50,000 electronic system used to track patients and she instructed 40 Airmen on it. Fife participated in the Sun ‘n Fun Air Show, showcasing AE operations for more than 150,000 spectators.
NCO of the Quarter
Tech. Sgt. Ryan Steele, 445th Security Forces squadron fire team leader, is the 445th Airlift Wing NCO of the Quarter. Steele was one of 16 Airmen selected by Air Force Reserve Command for the Naval Warfare Trident exercise at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. He was sworn in as a wing inspection team member and evaluator representing security forces for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense exercise and ability to survive and operate training; improving safety and readiness for his squadron. Steele led the squadron’s force-on-force shoot, move and communicate exercise for 93 warrior Airmen, enhancing the wing’s tactical and lethal skillsets. During his off-duty time, Steele earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Steele championed a first responder, veteran hockey league, a community outreach achievement reaching 28 citizen warriors.
Senior NCO of the Quarter
Master Sgt. Zachary Fontaine, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron aerospace medical technician, is the 445th Airlift Wing Senior NCO of the Quarter. Fontaine was selected as the program manager for the wing’s medical skills lab where he lectured and directed new Sim-Manikin setup and training with a co representative. The training impacted 200 wing medics. As the NCO in charge of clinical management, Fontaine managed the Comprehensive Medical Readiness Program, patient safety, Credentials (a credentialing program), the Infection Control Program and mental health. Fontaine produced a joint training platform with AE, leading a $79,000 skills lab, increasing joint training capabilities. He was selected as the quarter master for the Indiana Fire Department, where he created and reviewed patient and personnel safety policies. Fontaine is working on a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and is looking forward to being an Air Force nurse.
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
Capt. Joshua Earl, 89th Airlift Squadron scheduling officer and C-17 aircraft commander, is the 445th Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer of the Quarter. Earl commanded 46 crews and 37 sorties with more than 120 flying hours and transported 350,000 pounds of cargo while safeguarding more than $100 million in joint coalition assets. As a total force integrator, Earl led 78 crews, accomplishing 63 flying training hours and he orchestrated an inter-theater human remains recovery mission and helped to prepare 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Airmen to deploy. Earl oversaw three programs that generated 225 orders for more than 80 aviators flying 56 missions and dealt with $108,000 in travel vouchers and a $240,000 budget. Earl developed a 36-hour Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps pilot shadow program and he volunteered 12 hours with non-traditional and military student services, mentoring 24 officer candidates.