Eielson Medical Group Airmen earn outstanding medical service awards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Four Icemen were recently honored by Pacific Air Forces for outstanding performance in the medical service field.

Maj. David Gilliam, Maj. Shaun White, Capt. Bryan Sixkiller and Airman 1st Class Bethany Cornett all earned recognition for their hard work.

"It is an honor to have so many of our Airmen recognized for outstanding performance at the major command level. This was a very competitive process and our Airmen were up to the challenge," said Lt. Col. Mary Guest, 354th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "We are extremely proud of the award winners, as well as their teammates and supervisors that made it all possible."

White received the Biomedical Specialist Category I Company Grade Officer of the Year and Sixkiller received the Biomedical Clinician Category I Company Grade Officer of the Year.

According to Gilliam, winner of the Biomedical Specialist Category I Field Grade Officer of the Year, the awardees are grateful for their recognition and continue to serve the Eielson community to the best of their ability.

"We are doing great things here and it is easy to forget the Airmen tucked away in a small base so far north," said Gilliam. "These winners show the Air Force that Eielson is truly 'Ready to go at 50 below.'"

Cornett received the Outstanding Base Bioenvironmental Engineering Airman of the Year Award. As the only enlisted recipient, her hard work has not gone unnoticed.

"Airman Cornett is not your traditional Airman," said Senior Master Sgt. Benito Hibbert, 354th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent. "She is actively involved in her community serving as an emergency responder for the local fire department while pursuing a college degree to better her Air Force career."

Cornett performs jobs unique to Eielson, such as driving over the ice bridge or flying in a helicopter to Blair Lake to get water samples, all to ensure residents are safe.

"The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I am protecting workers from industrial hazards they might not otherwise be aware of and I really try to do my best on and off-duty in any way I can," said Cornett. "I just want to help people and winning this award is a nice pat on the back knowing that I am doing a good job at what I love doing most."

The awardees will now compete at the Air Force Medical Service level.