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Command awards recognize Citizen Airman, employer

  • Published
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A reservist assigned to Laughlin AFB, Texas, and his civilian employer received 2011 Air Force Reserve Citizen Airman and Employer of the Year Awards.

Maj. Tomas J. Sohayda is an instructor pilot with the 96th Flying Training Squadron. His employer, NetJets Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, supported his military service by permitting him to complete his required training. His company also matched contributions to his investment plan while he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

Major Sohayda went to Kandahar Air Base where he led a 63-person team in the use the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node. The BACN allows aviators flying at high altitudes to exchange information in real time with troops on the ground.

Under his leadership, the 451st Tactical Airborne Gateway performed 504 combat missions during 4,557 incident-free lying hours.