WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing recognizes the 3rd quarter CY 2020 award winners.
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
Capt. Jennifer Gerritsen, clinical nurse, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, is the 445th Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer of the Quarter. Gerritsen volunteered her time to support the COVID-19 Joint Task Force with less than six hours-notice for two months providing critical care support to more than 20,000 patients in New York City at the peak of the pandemic. She provided 144 hours of didactic education and preceptorship for nine civilian registered nurses at Lincoln Medical Center in New York City and prevented a $180,000 outsourced staff. Gerritsen led and mentored a three-member Air Force registered nurse team that provided fortified care for 23 patients and mitigated a civilian staff shortfall and decreased a medical surgical unit sentinel events by 22 percent. As the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors military mentor, Gerritsen hosted 16 resilience exercises for a two-day virtual event that elevated the community support system for 160 members. The captain is working on a Master of Science degree in nursing at The Ohio State University and is in the Clinical RN Leadership Program.
Senior NCO of the Quarter
Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Katoski, aerospace medicine technician, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, is the 445th Airlift Wing Senior NCO of the Quarter. Katoski recruited and organized 26 trainers for four days of 101 individual training classes; 115 members were trained in critical medical readiness skills. She was the key planner in organizing 122 people into 12 small groups for 111 unit training assembly events. This initiative enabled in-garrison UTA for 100 percent COVID-19 compliant. Katoski evaluated her unit’s annual field training exercise as part of the wing inspection team, evaluating four mission essential task lists, two static aeromedical evacuation missions and a 10-bed en-route patient staging system; the unit met its annual requirement. Sergeant Katoski completed COVID-19 patient tracing and Defense Acquisition University contracting classes, filling a lab skill deficit and aided the Army’s Department of Defense and Federal Emergency Management Agency support. The sergeant field tested technology to combat COVID-19; her Bio Sciences work center was nominated for the Maj. Gen. Harold Greene Innovation Award.
NCO of the Quarter
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Funke, aerospace medicine technician, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, is the 445th Airlift Wing NCO of the Quarter. Funke was selected as the Bulldog (the enlisted member who directs all ground manpower during aeromedical evacuation missions) for a field training exercise that was part of an aeromedical evacuation mission where he led an 18-person team and evacuated five wounded. He was recognized by the wing inspection team and command and control for his efforts. Funke served as the recall program manager and exercise planner where he ran and evaluated three recall exercises with 156 contacts; 100 percent accountability and all objectives were met. As his unit’s unit deployment manager, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear scheduler and automated readiness information system subject matter expert, Sergeant Funke tracked delinquencies during the COVID-19 pause and he scheduled members for first in-garrison UTAs resulting in 38 Airmen being trained. He completed supervisor leadership certification at the University of Dayton; using the skills he learned during his unit’s annual field training exercise and executed rapid patient loading with zero delays. The sergeant modernized his unit’s historian program and administered and shared more than 50 pictures to the ASTS Facebook page.
Airman of the Quarter
Senior Airman Casey Schlotman, material management apprentice, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is the 445th Airlift Wing Airman of the Quarter. Schlotman inventoried 2,675 chemical warfare defense equipment assets values at more than $218,000. Eighteen discrepancies were found and resolved resulting in 100 percent accountability. He executed an M-50 serviceability test, cleaning and testing 300 gas masks and recouped $100,000 of 445th Airlift Wing funds, beating the Air Force standard by 30 days. Senior Airman Schlotman performed quarterly due-in for maintenance (DIFM) reconciliation, identifying and locating 15 assets valued at $238,000. He safeguarded 100 percent issued DIFM parts. Schlotman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in early education and made the dean’s list at Northern Kentucky University, earning a 3.8 grade point average. The Airman volunteered 48 hours with NKU’s Supported Higher Education Project, assisting learning disabled students with school and he supported the quality of life for more than 100 mentally challenged alumni.