PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. -- The Air Force Reserve Command is comprised of 42 Air Force installations. This means that each installation makes up approximately 2.2 percent of the command.
During the 2018 Air Force Reserve Command awards presentations, the 911th Airlift Wing took many of the top honors with several squadrons receiving more than 45 percent of the awards available.
The 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron brought home 45 percent of the medical awards. No other base received more than one. The following are the awards received by the 911th ASTS:
Outstanding Company Grade Officer assigned to a Reserve Medical Unit:
Captain Matthew J. Waller, 911th ASTS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nursing Leadership Excellence Award:
Major Brian R Carr, 911th ASTS, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Outstanding Air Reserve Technician Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year:
Master Sgt. Luca Farkas, 911th ASTS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Outstanding Airman assigned to a Reserve Medical Unit:
Senior Airman Robert M. Ostrowski, 911th ASTS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mentorship Excellence Award:
Master Sgt. Patrick S. Lehosit, 911th ASTS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2018 AFRC Surgeon General Seasonal Influenza Immunization Program Superior Performance Award:
911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron
“The reason I believe we are successful as a medical unit is that we are unique in not only the services provided, but also who we provide it to,” said 1st Lt. Michael Cilli, director of medical operations for the 911th ASTS. “Many AF reserve units are tenants on an active duty base. So, the active duty medical facility takes care of those needs. Other units, such as Air National Guard bases, for instance, are too small to facilitate the medical requirements for service members. Our medical unit supports the Greater Tri-State area. We support outside organizations, whether it’s the Marine Corps, Army National Guard, Army Reserves, Navy Reserves or Coast Guard,” said Cilli. “We actually provide service to more outside personnel, than to members here at the 911th, he said. “This type of care is what sets us apart.”
The 911th Security Forces Squadron took home 66 percent of the awards available. Some of the awards received were:
Todd “TJ” Lobraico Award for Excellence:
Tech. Sgt. Marcus Merritt, 911th SFS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Outstanding Security Forces Flight- Level NCO Award:
Tech. Sgt. Michael Wenger, 911th SFS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Outstanding SF Flight- Level Airman Award:
Senior Airman Justin Graham, 911th SFS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Our Airmen are some of the best security forces around. The squadron has done a great job of taking care of each other and the mission,” said Lt. Col. Jason D. Price, 911th SFS commander. “We are doing a great job from the air show, to the deployment, to the capstone inspection, and the conversion.”
The 911th Force Support Squadron also took home 66 percent of the awards available. Some of their awards are as follows:
2018 AFRC Installation Level Force Support Airmen of the Year:
Senior Airman Anthony M. Mariniero- 911th FSS
2018 AFRC Installation Level Force Support NCO of the Year;
Staff Sgt. Hayley E. Rogachesky- 911th FSS
There were many others who made the 911th AW proud with their wins and nominations as well.
Col. Douglas N. Strawbridge acknowledged all the AFRC award winners at the 911th AW’s 2018 Awards Ceremony held March 2, 2019.
Strawbridge mentioned it was “unbelievable that a wing that represents 2.2 percent of the reserves is taking well into double digits of the awards.”
Some of the other award winners from the 911th AW are:
2018 AFRC General Lew Allen Jr. Awards:
Mission Execution- Master Sgt. Michael B. Burdine- 911th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Sortie Generation- Capt. Joshua J. Christopher- 911th Maintenance Group
2018 AFRC Financial Management SNCO of the Year:
Master Sgt. John M. Dingman- 911th AW
2018 AFRC Financial Analysis Office of the Year:
911th Airlift Wing’s Financial Management and Budget Office
“We are basically kicking ass and taking names across the Air Force and AFRC,” said Strawbridge.
The Airmen and civilian personnel at the base have accomplished a lot not only with the awards but with the reputation they have built in the AFRC.
“Every month, our newcomers orientation is packed and it’s constantly packed. We don’t have any place to put them,” said Col. Strawbridge. “Word is out about how good this base is and that’s why they want to come here.”