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AFA recognizes reservists at annual event

  • Published

The Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition concluded Sept. 16 with six awards going to Air Force Reserve Command.  

 

Four awards went to individuals and two to organizations with ties to the command.

 

Maj. Warren Neary, an AFRC historian, received the Gill Robb Wilson Award for Arts and Letters.

 

Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander AFRC, presented Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James with the painting “That Others May Live” during the AFA event Sept. 14. Neary’s painting documents the 2005 rescue of U.S. Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell by reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing after his unit came under intense hostile fire in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings.

 

Staff Sgt. Kresston Davis, a reservist from the 908th Security Forces Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, was one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Davis was a senior airman when she was nominated for the award by AFRC.

 

She deployed overseas to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was assigned to protect the installation, personnel and property. She helped to defend 250 rotators on 34 aircraft and safeguarded $2 billion in assets, including 40 million gallons of fuel, and 57 million pounds of cargo.

 

Davis and her team provided security for 200,000 transients, executed 200 random anti-terrorism measures and conducted 11 off-base patrols. While deployed, she was able to complete Airman Leadership School, obtain her associate’s degree in criminal justice and continue to pursue her bachelor’s degree in information systems.

 

Lt. Col. John Marks, 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, received the Reserve Aircrew Award, the President’s Award. During 2014 Marks deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He led 124 combat missions, supporting 132 ground operations and 29 troops-in-contact situations without friendly or civilian casualty. By his tactical expertise and instruction, the squadron achieved a 99.7 percent weapons effectiveness rate. 

 

Master Sgt. Harvey McClain of the U.S. Transportation Command, Norfolk, Virginia, nominated his employer for the Citizen Airman Award for supporting his reserve duty. In civilian life, he works for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety State Highway Patrol, Troop C, District IX, Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

The 301st Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, received the Air Force Reserve Unit Award. During 2014, the wing achieved outstanding operational results, operating out of two locations with more than 1,900 Airmen.

 

The wing received excellent ratings in the June 2014 unit effectiveness inspection and drove Air Force Reserve Command’s premier F-16 fighter program with more than 8,000 mishap-free flying hours. In Operation Inherent Resolve, wing Airmen flew the first-ever F-22 combat missions against enemy forces.