AFRC award winners announced

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Byrnes
  • 403rd Public Affairs

Airmen from the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 815th Airlift Squadron, part of the 403rd Operations Group, were named 2017 Air Force Reserve Command Award winners.

Lt. Col. Rosalind Johnson, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron director of operations, won the AFRC’s Outstanding Aeromedical Evacuation Air Reserve Technician Officer of the Year. As an ART, Johnson oversees the day-to-day activities of the 36th AES which consists of specialized teams that routinely move critically ill or injured troops after they’ve been stabilized or received damage-control surgery.

“Winning this award is not only is an accomplishment for myself but for my unit as well,” said Johnson. “I could not and cannot begin to accomplish all I need to do without Christ first and the support of an awesome ART staff and a supportive unit.  I am humbled and truly grateful for this recognition and it is my awesome privilege to be a servant leader.”

Capt. Erica Seagle, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, won the AFRC’s Outstanding Aeromedical Evacuation Company Grade Officer of the Year. As a flight nurse, Seagle provides Airmen who are injured and need to be transported to a medical facility with lifesaving emergency and prehospital care while in transport.

“To do this job and maintain mission readiness, we spend a lot of time away from our families,” said Seagle. “Winning an award at this level reminds me that those efforts are worth it and underscores our incredible team work and great leadership at the 36th AES. The folks at this unit are highly supportive, engaged and some of the best clinicians I've ever worked with. I've learned so much from them. I'm humbled to receive this award and grateful to my brothers and sisters at the 36th AES for keeping me motivated.”

 Senior Master Sgt. Darren Bannister, 815th Airlift Squadron, was awarded the AFRC’s U.S. Air Force Henry E. “Red” Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year.

“It was a huge honor just to have been nominated for this award,” said Bannister. “It was truly just a blessing to be up for an award that was named after a Medal of Honor recipient and when I found out that I had actually won, I was speechless and very humbled.”

On April 12, 1945, Erwin, an Air Force staff sergeant at the time and radio operator, was dropping phosphorus smoke bombs through a chute in the B-29's floor on a raid of a chemical plant north of Tokyo, according to an Air Force fact sheet. Back then, it wasn't uncommon for aircrew members to have several additional jobs in flight. 

The fuse of a smoke bomb malfunctioned, "igniting the phosphorus, burning at 1,100 degrees. The canister "flew back up the chute and into Erwin's face, blinding him, searing off one ear and obliterating his nose. Smoke immediately filled the aircraft, making it impossible for the pilot to see the instrument panel," according to the fact sheet. 

Erwin managed to carry the bomb to the cockpit and threw it out a window. The pilot was able to pull the aircraft out of a dive at about 300 feet above the water.

For his efforts that day, he received the Medal of Honor. 

In 1997, the Air Force created the Henry E. Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year Award. It's presented annually to an Airman, NCO and senior NCO in the active-duty or reserve forces. It goes to members of the flight engineering, loadmaster, air surveillance and related career fields. It is only the second Air Force award named for an enlisted person.

“While this award recognizes an individual this really was a team effort, and I can’t thank the individuals of the 815th AS for everything they have done for me,” said Bannister. “Without them winning this award wouldn’t have been possible.”

All the award winners were selected based on their highest combined scores in the areas of leadership, job performance, self-improvement and contributions to community service. Physical fitness scores, educational accomplishments and decorations were taken into consideration, as well.

Col. Brian May, 403rd Operations Group commander, took time to recognize and congratulate the award winners for their achievement. 

“These individuals have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and commitment to their units, the Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air Force mission,” said May. “Additionally, they have achieved numerous self-improvement goals and have served admirably as ambassadors within their local communities. They are most deserving of the recognition associated with these prestigious awards and we ask that you pass your congratulations to them for their great work.  We are lucky to have them on our Operations Group Team here at Keesler.”