WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, -- The 445th Airlift Wing is proud to announce the following Airmen as the second quarter CY16 award winners.
Airman of the Quarter
Senior Airman Andrae Manuel, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron aerospace medicine services journeyman, is the 445th Airlift Wing Airman of the Quarter, second quarter. Manuel is a member of the honor guard, traveling 4,983 miles and working 15 details. He was voted ASTS Airman Council president and serves on the wing’s council. The Airman raised more than $200 from a morale breakfast for the unit’s first council fundraiser. During his off-duty time, Manuel volunteers as a martial arts instructor in his community, teaching more than 30 students self-defense. He organized a Green Dot unit kickball competition, boosting moral among his Airmen. Manuel completed his Community College of the Air Force and bachelor’s degrees in organizational leadership and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership at the University of Cincinnati.
NCO of the Quarter
Tech. Sgt. John Devore, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications/navigation technician, is the 445th Airlift Wing NCO of the Quarter, second quarter. As the flightline leader, Devore oversaw 39 Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Command missions, enabling the unit to deliver 3,172 tons of cargo and moving 1,929 passengers. He found a damaged wire and fixed an elusive data bus, saving 48 man hours. Devore completed a 270-day deployment to Bagram, filling a critical shortfall. During his off-duty time, Devore led a church children’s classroom remodeling project, creating a positive learning environment and saving the church $20,000. He coordinated a box lunch sale for his local church, raising more than $1,000 towards the youth ministry fund. Devore mentored 12 veterans at Xavier University, providing the group with a vital career path and transition guidance.
Senior NCO of the Quarter
Master Sgt. Leah Smith, 445th Force Support Squadron, NCO in-charge of the orderly room, is the 445th Airlift Wing Senior NCO of the Quarter, second quarter. Smith led a three-member section supporting 117 reservists. She took charge of human resource actions and issues. She oversaw the pay file for unit training assemblies, ensuring $25,000 was paid out monthly. Smith managed ARCNet orders requests, linking requests to the organization box and generating more than 240 orders, thus reducing the workload by 50 percent. During her off-duty time, Smith dedicated 80 hours of community service by assisting with 16 church events. She volunteers with the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Smith is working on her Community College of the Air Force degree in information resource management and a Bachelor of Science degree in logistics.
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
First Lieutenant Paul Kolk, 89th Airlift Squadron C-17 mobility pilot, is the 445th Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, second quarter. Kolk flew 25 airlift missions in support of Freedom Sentinel, logging 181 combat and 124 combat support hours. He flew more than 550 total hours, delivering 875,000 of cargo and moving more than 600 passengers. Kolk developed a squadron unit deployment manager resource management database, streamlining the information process. During his off-duty time, Kolk volunteered to construct homes for the Habitat for Humanity. He participating in 12 C-17 Globemaster III static displays, showcasing the aircraft and the wing to more than 1,000 visitors. Kolk received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University and is applying for the Florida Institute of Technology Master of Aviation Safety program.