WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing is proud to announce the following Airmen as the First Quarter CY17 award winners;
Airman of the Quarter
Staff Sgt. Shawn Haggerty, 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, is the 445th Airlift Wing Airman of the Quarter, first quarter. Sergeant Haggerty flew 48 sorties in 99 combat and combat support hours. He moved 1.8 million pounds of cargo and 530 passengers in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Inherent Resolve. Haggerty transported 175,000 pounds of munitions to Incirlik Air Base, Iceland. He flew a mission in support of the 482nd Fighter Wing, ensuring its 42 members were prepped for their deployment. Haggerty was awarded the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Aircrew of the Month award. During his off-duty time, Haggerty led multiple C-17 tours for more than 300 students, veterans, local area civic leaders and base employees. He joined 28 fellow Airmen picking up trash along one mile of Huffman Dam River. Haggerty is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Human-Computer Interaction at Wright State University.
NCO of the Quarter
Staff Sgt. Aaron Fritz, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron AMXS craftsman, is the 445th Airlift Wing NCO off the Quarter, first quarter. Fritz flew support on 100 sorties, flying 15 missions, delivering 713 passengers and 2.6 million tons of cargo to the area of responsibility. He was the dedicated crew chief thru four Home Station Checks, directing an eight-man all-purpose general mechanic team. He volunteered for a humanitarian mission to Haiti, helping to deliver 14 pallets of water and food to hurricane victims. As the trainer and certifier for high-lift maintenance equipment, Fritz boosted a 12-hour fix rate by more than 200 percent. During his off-duty time, Fritz volunteered more than 60 hours to support the Preble County Fairgrounds, raising funds for grounds improvements, scholarships. He provided 60 hours of mentoring to 12 local youths in the Preble County 4-H Youth Program. Fritz is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business Administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Senior NCO of the Quarter
Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Porta, 445th Maintenance Group superintendent, quality assurance, is the 445th Airlift Wing Senior NCO of the Quarter, first quarter. Porta streamlined the maintenance instruction process by reviewing and approving more than 40 local publications; 20 percent ahead of the group’s goal. He ensured accountability, safety and adherence to procedures that led to 14,000 mishap-free maintenance actions. Porta leads a combat ready and cost-effective force; 358 flight hours with a 33 percent depot rate resulted in the highest Air Force Reserve Command hours in February 2017. He evaluated Air Mobility Command fuel boarding checks and servicing 794,297 gallons of fuel with no discrepancies. During his off-duty time, Porta is an active member in Knights of Columbus, third degree, dedicating more than 40 hours of his time orchestrating events and fundraisers for the organization. Porta is currently pursuing a graduate degree in aviation adult education.
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
Capt. Ryan Armstrong, 89th Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot, is the 445th Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, first quarter. Armstrong flew 74 sorties in 190 hours, moving 1.1 million pounds of cargo. He volunteered for deployment for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, flying 35 sorties in 58 combat hours, moving one million pounds of cargo. He led the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to have a 100 percent on-time mission execution rate, by executing 398 hours of combatant commander-directed alerts. As chief of scheduling, Armstrong provided 131 crews for 156 missions, flying 136 training sorties. He was one of 126 chosen from more than 3,500 Air Force captains to attend High Flight 2016. During his off-duty time, Armstrong mentored more than 100 high school students and 300 ROTC cadets during various career day events. He’s an active member of his church, donating personal time for special events and usher duties.