ASTS recognized as top performers downrange

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kat Justen
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  
Airmen give a great deal of themselves when called to duty downrange: they sacrifice months away from loved ones, the comforts of home life, and generally work around the clock, seven days a week. Therefore, when Airmen serve above and beyond the call of duty, they are giving an exceptional amount of themselves to support the call to freedom. 

Deployed members of the 459th Air Refueling Wing were recently recognized for their outstanding performance while working at 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Jennifer Castor, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, was the 455 EMDG Airman Performer of the Month (November); Tech. Sgt. Natalie Johnson, 459 ASTS medical technician, was the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Top III Whole Airmen Concept NCO of the Month (October); and Master Sgt. Brandon Revels, 459 ASTS NCOIC of Health Services Management, was the 455 EMDG SNCO Performer of the Month (November).

As part of the En-Route Patient Staging System, these members provide patient care and patient movement in support of Operation FREEDOM's SENTINEL.  They ensure the provision of quality health and clinical care as needed and are responsible for coordinating inter and intra-theater patient movement requests for aeromedical evacuation.

Many additional duties, to include management of the Airfield Driving Program, vehicle maintenance, volunteer program, equipment custodial duties, infection control and training programs, are performed and conducted by the members in addition to their core mission.

"I consider it an honor to serve alongside such extraordinary Airmen," said Lt. Col. Adrienne Goodknight, 455 EMDG flight commander. "They give their best to all those entrusted in their care. Our successful mission accomplishment over the past few months is testimony to the phenomenal resiliency, dedication, and innovative spirit that exist within the 459 ARW."

Although thousands of miles from their homeland, the ASTS members' accomplishments did not go unrecognized here. Col. Oba Vincent, 459 ASTS commander, said of his Airmen, "We are very proud of all our members, especially those who volunteered to serve in the Theatre during the holidays away from their families.  Castor, Johnson and Revels are some of our best performers and it is fantastic to see them recognized for the work they love.  Please keep all of our deployers in your thoughts and prayers this winter as they demonstrate the quality, dedication and professionalism of the 459th."