RED HORSE Awards

Site Senior Enlisted Leader

Senior Master Sergeant Phillip A. Beserra distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as site Senior Enlisted Leader, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. During this period, in direct support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and SPARTAN SHIELD, Sergeant Beserra oversaw, mentored, and enforced good order and discipline for 117 Airmen, Noncommissioned Officers, Senior Noncommissioned Officers, and Company Grade Officers, and provided expert counsel to the site Officer-In-Charge at the Group's largest site in the Air Force Central Command's area of responsibility. Additionally, Sergeant Beserra was dual-hatted as the Engineering Flight Superintendent, managing, mentoring, and training 12 Airmen and four Soldiers, significantly amplifying shop technical capabilities, resulting in the successful completion of 11 construction projects totaling 17 million dollars. Furthermore, he led a survey team in expeditiously collecting 2,500 data points for a 19.2-acre, 5.85 million dollar geographically separated airfield apron, enabling Army Special Operation Command Central's CV-22 mission expansion. Finally, Sergeant Beserra orchestrated an eight member quality control team, collecting and validating over 2,100 soil and concrete tests for the construction of a 3.9 million dollar runway project supporting over 8,600 multi-national sorties and a 1.8 billion dollar weapon system. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Beserra reflect great credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman

Senior Airman Vincent D. Colmes distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squdron, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Qatar, from XXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, he deployed in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and Combined Joint Task Force HORN OF AFRICA where he helped install two 38-foot dish antennas. This expanded system increased the ability to track personnel and aircraft from 50 percent of the globe's surface to 95 percent. Additionally, he participated in the construction of a two and one half mile running track for the Coalition Compound. He led the removal and relocation of 150,000 tons of earth which led to the expedient completion of the project and provided the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing a safe exercise area for both permanent and transit personnel. Finally, he used his off-duty time to teach himself how to use the Squadron's Integrated Work Information Management System which allowed him to manage over 200,000 dollars in vital horizontal materials and supplies. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Colmes reflect credit upon himself, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squdron, and the United States Air Force.

Electrical Systems Journeyman

Technical Sergeant Lionel K. Witz distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Electrical Systems Journeyman, 560th Red Horse Squadron, 10th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Witz contributed to the recovery and welfare of the citizens affected by Hurricanes Katrine, Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma. Without hesitation, Sergeant Witz volunteered to deploy and restore electrical power to critical infrastructure, facilities, and dwellings throughout the affected areas. Working 16 hours a day for three months, Sergeant Witz and his team restored electrical power for over 500,000 storm victims. In addition, Sergeant Witz assisted in the construction of six 960 square foot homes for the needy and veterans on the Navajo Indian Reservation, reducing or mitigating the effects of poverty. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Witz reflect credit upon himself, the 560th Red Horse Squadron and the United States Air Force.

HVAC Technician

Staff Sergeant Bryan T. Cepero distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as HVAC Technician, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. During this period, Sergeant Cepero volunteered to support the 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and assisted in the pouring of over 2,000 cubic meters of concrete for the November Ramp expansion project, providing additional parking for U.S. and coalition helicopters. Additionally, he assisted in the installation of over 1,600 linear feet of six inch and four inch drain lines, trenched and installed 480 linear feet of water lines, and installed a 5,000 gallon water tank, resulting in project completion and lodging for over 600 service members one week ahead of schedule. Furthermore, Sergeant Cepero assisted in the installation of a positive water distribution system designed to maintain positive water flow to 17 sinks and 12 latrines. Finally, he assisted in the installation of 96 linear feet of twelve inch concrete pipe for a drainage culvert, providing water drainage for over two acres of flight line parking. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Cepero reflect credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Airfields Flight Chief

Master Sergeant Romeo McKiever distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to the 555th RED HORSE Squadron, 610th Regional Support Group (610 RSG), Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. During this period, Sergeant McKiever demonstrated exceptional management skills and unprecedented dedication while completing numerous construction projects for the Air Force. Sergeant McKiever was a true combat engineer who meticulously prepared his 55-Airman Airfields Section to deploy in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. His dedication to the mission ensured his Airmen were well versed in all aspects of pre-deployment training to include weapons proficiency, convoy tactics, and combat life saving skills. In addition, while deployed in 2007 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant McKiever was hand-picked to join a water well-drilling team to supply water to the Shoronna Province in Afghanistan to ensure the town had potable water. Further, Sergeant McKiever planned the construction of a sea-van storage area that measured 60 by 48 feet, utilizing 55 cubic tons of compaction materials with heavy equipment operations for 53 yards of concrete groundwork. Finally, Sergeant McKiever volunteered for the JTF Summit in Mt. Hope, West Virginia, where he helped clear a mountain top for the 5,000 square foot Presidential Helicopter Pad for the future Boy Scouts of America Jamboree. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant McKiever culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Power Production Craftsman

Staff Sergeant Adam J. Northcutt distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Power Production Craftsman, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX. While forward deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Staff Sergeant Northcutt skillfully diagnosed and repaired mission essential generators, increasing power generation by 400 percent and preventing mission interruption for a three million dollar infrastructure project. In addition, he developed a fuel supply source that made it possible to increase generator use by 25 percent which made 24-hour operations possible for the first time since the base was established. Further, to ensure reliability, he implemented a recurring work program for nearly one million dollars in RHS assets which minimized equipment failures and eliminated repair costs. Finally, Sergeant Northcutt assumed duties as Squadron Safety NCO where he achieved 100 percent program compliance and produced an effective and relevant program for more than 1,500 380th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel and tenants. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Northcutt reflect credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman

Staff Sergeant Andrew Pierce distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron (ERHS), Ali Base, Iraq. During this period, Sergeant Pierce provided phenomenal equipment operating capabilities critical to the timely completion of over 540,000 dollars in RED HORSE projects. Going above and beyond, Sergeant Pierce excelled outside of his career field to support the construction of two Large Area Maintenance Shelters for Communications Electronics Command (CECOM). Sergeant Pierce's efforts ensured the timely completion of the 420,000 dollar project, allowing CECOM to provide sustainment and support operations for command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems for the joint war fighter. In addition to his contributions to RED HORSE projects, Sergeant Pierce volunteered to aid EOD-Technologies in the design and construction of a 500,000 square foot Sports Complex to promote Ugandans' physical fitness, directly supporting EODT in their mission to provide critical mission solutions that ensure safety and operational readiness. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Pierce reflect credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Section Chief, Facility Maintenance Contingency Training

Master Sergeant Dale L. Andrews distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Section Chief, Facility Maintenance Contingency Training, Detachment 1, 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. During this period, Sergeant Andrews used his superior contingency operations knowledge to educate 1,755 heating, ventilation and air conditioning Airmen and prepare 1,350 Civil Engineer and Force Support Officers for future leadership roles. Additionally, his recognized expertise during the 47 million dollar Joint Biological Stand-off Detection System test helped clarify and validate technical procedures that resulted in zero discrepancies during critical testing. Moreover, Sergeant Andrew's excellent comprehension and strict enforcement of arc flash standards ensured one hundred percent student compliance and zero mishaps during 5,000 hours of training. Finally, he led the development of his career field's war-time student training standard, identifying 75 tasks and proficiency codes to ensure Airmen received training vital to sustaining operations in deployed environments. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Andrews culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Pavements and Construction Equipment Specialist

Airman First Class Oscar G. Castillo distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Pavements and Construction Equipment Specialist, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron (ERHS), Ali Base, Iraq. During this period, Airman Castillo displayed great initiative in accompanying a team of five to successfully cut and remove 13,000 cubic yards of deficient material at the Empty Container Collection Point (ECCP), ensuring the provision of an adequate surface for non seaworthy containers was achieved. The construction of the ECCP yard, valued at $153,000 dollars, is essential for the responsible drawdown of force (RDOF) operations in United States Division-South (USD-S). In addition, Airman Castillo supported cantonments in the preparation, placing, and finishing of 112 cubic yards of concrete during the Postal Relocation Project. This was a critical phase in the rejuvenation of the structure, which established a safe and adequate foundation for the mail distribution facility that supports Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder and its 13,000 JET troops and civilian personnel. Lastly, Airman Castillo took charge and performed well above his rank in leading the hauling efforts of over 811,000 dollars worth of RED HORSE assets that directly support Iraq Drawdown operations and future missions down range. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Castillo reflect credit upon himself, the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and the United States Air Force.