Wing announces annual award winners

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  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson recognized 2008's best-of-the-best Feb. 13, announcing the wing's annual award winners during a ceremony at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks.

This year's 354th Fighter Wing annual award winners are: 

~Airman of the Year - Senior Airman James Derrickson, 354th Security Forces Squadron

~NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Heath Tempel, 354th Civil Engineering Squadron

~SNCO of the Year - Master Sgt. Brian Fairchild, 354th Medical Operations Squadron

~First Segeant of the Year - Master Sgt. Michelle Vanderbunt, 354th Force Support Squadron

~Honor Guardsman of the Year - Staff Sgt. Robert Hammack, 354th Medical Operations Squadron

~Company Grade Officer of the Year - 1st Lt. Diana Kostrna, 354th Operations Support Squadron

~Flight Commander of the Year - Capt. Oscar Olipane, 354th Medical Systems Squadron

~Civilian Specialist of the Year - Shirl Hafner, 353rd Combat Training Squadron

~Civilian Technician of the Year - Patricia Ward, 354th Force Support Squadron

~Civilian Supervisor of the Year - Jimmie Denton, 354th Civil Engineering Squadron

~Civilian Program Manager of the Year - Debra Mettille, 354th Force Support Squadron

Senior Airman Derrickson, 354th SFS, is assigned as a response force member. He secured 279,000 tons of munitions, 103 aircraft and 33 deployed units during Red Flag-Alaska 2008. Leading the security detail for Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley's visit to Eielson, he garnered accolades from the commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.

While deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq, the Department of Defense's largest detainment facility, Senior Airman Derrickson secured over 22,000 detainees with zero escapes. During 750 astute detainee searches he seized over 900 weapons reducing injuries by 20 percent. His skillful employment of non-lethal weapons quelled an 800-person riot and ensured immediate compliance.

Responding to the medical emergency call of a mother in labor, his demeanor soothed the mother, slowed her contractions and allowed transport to a medical facility for delivery. As the on-scene commander for a bomb threat at the Gold Rush Inn, Airman Derrickson oversaw the evacuation and accountability of 23 people until the area was declared safe by fire department and explosive ordnance disposal personnel. 

Tech. Sgt. Tempel, 354th CES, is assigned as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. He served on the front lines of the war on terror across Iraq securing 2,700 miles of road from Improvised Explosive Devices, keeping vital supply routes open.

While under direct attack, he calmly neutralized a dangerous explosive device and recovered a teammate who was pinned down by enemy fire. Tech. Sgt. Tempel is a recipient of a hard-earned and coveted Air Force Combat Action Medal.

During his 649 total combat hours outside the wire, he led a 46-man team discovering the largest weapons cache to date in northern Iraq and oversaw the destruction of over 10,000 weapons. He delivered 514 improvised explosive device components to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for forensic examination leading to the destruction of 11 terror cells and was awarded his second Bronze star.

Responding to a call from civilian authorities when an explosive device was found in a North Pole residence, he expertly secured the device, saving a $200,000 house and the lives of the two children who found the device. Tech. Sgt. Tempel is a distinguished graduate from the NCO Academy and a recipient of the prestigious Commandant's Award.

Master Sgt. Fairchild, 354th MDOS, is assigned as the mental health and family advocacy flight chief. He was selected to fill a senior master sergeant billet at the Air Force Counselor certification board adding twelve counselors to the Air Force Inventory.

During a visit by the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General, his team received the highest possible rating of outstanding and earned the comment, "best family advocacy program seen to date."

He expertly led PACAF's only walk-in mental health clinic where every patient is seen by a provider within minutes, exceeding the seven-day Air Force-wide goal. He authored the winning proposal for a Wounded Warrior Prevention Grant garnering $30,000 towards the program.

Master Sgt. Vanderbunt, 354th FSS, is assigned as the first sergeant. She is one of six Air Force first sergeants chosen to implement the experimental Force Support Squadron, merging two squadrons into one cohesive team. Her awards and recognition program has set an example for the wing. Organizing boards and scrutinizing all submissions, her program garnered nine group winners, four wing winners, two recipients of Senior Airman Below-the-Zone and one on-the-spot promotion for an exceptional performer.

She expertly walked three humanitarian reassignment applications through the arduous approval process with immeasurable benefits to all involved families. She initiated ten emergency leave requests, which resulted in the affected members getting on a plane home within twelve hours of notification.

Staff Sgt. Hammack, 354th MDOS, is assigned as an ophthalmic technician. He has been a member of the Honor Guard since Jan. 2008 and is their lead trainer. During the Fairbanks, North Star Borough Veterans Day remembrance, he skillfully led his team through four consecutive performances in front of more than 1,500 community members.

He has performed in over 60 details across the state of Alaska in addition to amassing 2,400 man-hours of training for Air Force and Army Honor Guard professionals. Working closely with squadron and group leaders he standardized Eielson's weekly retreat ceremonies and is requested by name to train organizations on complicated ceremonies.

All of this while maintaining the highest certification available in his career field as a Nationally Certified Para Optometric Technician. 

1st Lt. Kostrna, 354th OSS, is assigned as airfield operations flight operations officer. Lieutenant Kostrna manages Eielson's 17 million square feet of airfield accounting for over 40,000 safe flying operations and $46 billion worth of aircraft. She directed this summer's successful deployment of Fort Wainwright's 172nd Stryker Brigade.

While deployed to Iraq she supervised six post-attack sweeps allowing a critical runway to reopen for full combat operations in less than 15 minutes. Lieutenant Kostrna's foresight was instrumental in the implementation of a new $5,000 flight planning room. This high demand facility was essential when transient operations nearly doubled from 300 to over 560 per month.

In an effort to protect U.S. and allied aircraft from enemy fire, she directed random approach and take-off paths. She implemented civil aviation weather minimums, which were quickly adopted across Iraq, dramatically increasing flight safety throughout the theater.

Captain Olipane, 354th MDSS, is assigned as the chief medical information systems. He leads a staff of eleven, supporting 171 medical information systems users. He streamlined Eielson's clinic phone tree system by reestablishing 42 connections on the 225 line system, driving patient satisfaction rate to an impressive 93 percent.

Captain Olipane organized command and control of emergency responders during the 2008 Eielson Thunderbird Air Show, providing safety to thousands of visitors from the local community.

Additionally, he was key to the successful satisfactory rating the clinic received during their three-year accreditation inspection, becoming the only PACAF clinic in compliance with all 13 Air Force Inspection Agency requirements.

A recognized professional, he was hand selected to chair the Fighter Wing Leadership symposium announcing the revolutionary PACAF CARES program, earning a coin from Brig. Gen. Mark W. Graper. 

Ms. Hafner, 353rd CTS, is assigned as the commander's secretary. As the secretary, she revamped internal coordination procedures making 353rd CTS the only squadron in the group with zero broken deadlines for six months running. As the single gatekeeper for the Red Flag-Alaska auditorium, she oversaw over 900 video teleconference requests with 99 percent on-time coordination. 

She also raised more than $6,000 for the Ben Eielson High School basketball team by working concessions at all 23 home games. 

Ms. Ward, 354th FSS, is assigned as an education services technician. She has had an immeasurable impact on Team Eielson's careers by personally managing the completion of over 233 college degrees. She led Eielson's first-ever education open house, introducing over 120 students to education benefits and available opportunities. 

As the tuition assistance monitor, she disbursed $1.4 million to 742 Eielson Airmen through aggressive counseling, was able to recover $36,000 of non-qualifying tuition assistance. 

She skillfully employed the Air Technology Network which allowed 19 students to remain at their home stations rather than travel hundreds of miles to a classroom, saving the Air Force more than $75,000 in unnecessary travel expenses. 

Mr. Denton, 354th CES, is assigned as the electrical systems foreman. He supervised the completion of 562 work orders on Eielson's 350 mile electrical grid and 14,000 foot runway; Pacific Air Forces largest system. When a contractor cut all electrical power to Eielson's main-base complex, he led a 27-man response team who replaced 300 feet of conductor, restoring power within two hours. 

During former President George W. Bush's visit, he coordinated two 100-amp utility feeds for lights, sound, and 90 media stations. Additionally, he saved the tax payers more than $75,000 by overseeing the installation of a 200 foot electrical feeder for the new Base Exchange. 

During last summer's floods, Mr. Denton quickly relocated five camper trailers and two storage containers, rescuing more than $120,000 of Outdoor Recreation equipment. 

Ms. Mettille, 354th FSS, is assigned as the Airman and Family Services Flight Chief. She developed and collaborated on Project SPEAK UP, which was adopted across Alaska's school systems. She piloted a unique marriage retreat program. Attendee feedback drove PACAF to request that her staff train all PACAF bases. Her implementation of barcode technology increased 100 percent accountability for critical loan locker items. 

Ms. Mettille revamped Eielson's Volunteer Appreciation Program. She highlighted the achievements of over 1,200 Eielson volunteers those contributions total more than 21,000 hours of their time annually. 


Winners from the annual wing awards will advance to compete at the 11th Air Force level. The 11th Air Force winners will be announced Feb. 27 at Elmendorf.