Maj Gen Corey Martin

Last week, 18th Air Force bid farewell to Col Liz Hanson as she concluded her time in command of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and we welcomed Col Kay Hasson as she accepted the guidon.

Col Hanson did a phenomenal job leading the “Can Do” Wing over the last two years. From providing C-17 support during the Israel conflict, to further developing the Aerial Port of the Future, to prioritizing mental health of Airmen with the formation of Sean’s Room. Col Hasson, I’m confident you will continue her momentum and lead your Airmen to new heights.

Congratulations to you both. Expedite!

Last week, 18th Air Force welcomed two new commanders – Col Cisewski took command of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, and Brig Gen (S) Johnson took command of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base. I’m confident these two leaders will continue the momentum of their predecessors and take their Wings to new heights.

Col Dycus, Brig Gen Salmi, thank you both for your remarkable leadership these past two years. Between Mobility Guardian 2023 and the myriad of other exercises, operations, and initiatives you implemented, your contributions to your Wings have made them better than they were before, all while preparing your Airmen for the Future Fight.

Congratulations to you all. Expedite!

18th Air Force is a unit of the U.S. Air Force that provides ready Airmen and equipment for our Nation’s senior leaders. 18th Air Force has over 36,000 personnel spread across 12 bases throughout the U.S. One of those outstanding 18th Air Force Airmen is Cheikh Ndiaye, an award-winning Senior Airman from Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas.

Cheikh is an innovator. Following 40 hours of training in innovation best practices he has already championed 8 new projects at his base including one that prevented a $260,000 cost to the government. In his off duty time, Cheikh also coordinated with the Arkansas Secretary of State to distribute 18,000 sanitation kits to low income families.

I’m proud that my 18th Air Force and our U.S. Air Force are made up of selfless servants like SrA Ndiaye!

Last week, an 18th Air Force leadership team visited the U.S. Air Force Academy to update Mobility Air Forces officers serving at USAFA on the current state of Air Mobility Command operations.

It was also an opportunity for me to return to my cadet roots and engage with the next generation of United States Air Force leaders on the value of the lessons they learn while at the Academy. Most importantly, it was a reminder to cadets of the importance of starting strong in their careers and always being ready to execute their assigned mission. After two days with USAFA leadership and cadets, 18th Air Force remains very confident that the Air Force’s future is in great hands.

Expedite!

18th Air Force is a unit of the U.S. Air Force responsible for providing ready Airmen, aircraft, and equipment for our Nation’s defense. 18th Air Force has 36,000 personnel stationed at 12 bases throughout the United States.

One of those outstanding Airmen is Senior Airman Danielle Ziemba from Little Rock Air Force Base. Recently selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant rank, Danielle is an award-winning industrial ventilation program manager, leading a 7-member team. In 2022 she was the Air Force’s Bioenvironmental Airman of the Year!

Outside of work, Danielle is the President of a 212-member Airman Council, has volunteered more than 5,000 hours (yes…5,000!) to her community, is the top graduate of an Air Force leadership school, and led a team through Little Rock, Arkansas’ tornado recovery efforts. She recently received the Air Force’s 2023 Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) Military Service Award for community achievement.

Danielle is a shining example of the value that our U.S. Air Force Airmen are to our Nation’s military and our communities.

Last week the 375th Air Mobility Wing held their monthly Wing Readiness Day, where Team Scott showcased how their initiatives align with 18th Air Force and Air Mobility Command priorities.

From Detachment X's use of unmanned aircraft for security and building inspections to the Warrior Airman Course, equipping Airmen with critical life-saving skills like Tactical Combat Casualty Care, to the integration of four Critical Care Air Transport Teams with local St. Louis civilian trauma centers, the dedication to innovation and readiness is evident at every turn.

The day ended with a Wing-wide ruck, which provided an opportunity to engage with Scott Airmen and learn about the diverse roles they fill across the installation.

Col. Poole, you and your team have done an outstanding job posturing the Flagship Wing for success with future demands and challenges. Keep up the outstanding work, Team Scott!

Expedite!

18th Air Force is responsible for ensuring the readiness of 36,000 personnel in 12 locations around the United States.

Captain Orchydia “CHYD” Sackey is one of those impressive Airmen. A St. Croix native, CHYD distinguished herself as an award-winning pilot and officer. Further, she was recently selected for a competitive intern program this summer at Air Mobility Command headquarters!

CHYD is also her unit’s first Director of Aviation Inspiration Mentorship (AIM) at MacDill Air Force Base where she connects aviation mentors to students, including “Girls in Aviation” that encourages girls aged 8-18 to pursue aviation careers.

Capt Sackey is a wonderful example of the youth selflessly serving our Nation. Well done, CHYD. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Bryce Miracle is one of the many outstanding members of the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at the 62nd Airlift Wing.

Originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bryce has a wife and daughter and enjoys food, hiking, and traveling in his free time.

As a Crew Chief, he led a 6-member team through four critical aircraft inspections for presidential support missions. He is also a valuable member of the DoD’s sole Prime Nuclear Airlift Force, executing two aircraft preparations, which contributed to the unit’s 100% departure reliability rate and perfect Nuclear Surety Inspection results. His accomplishments earned him the Quality Assurance Honor Roll Award and recognition as the unit’s monthly “Knucklebuster.”

Keep up the incredible work, Bryce. Expedite!

Airman First Class Dionne Hardrick is one of the many outstanding members of the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron at the 62nd Airlift Wing.

Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Dionne has four brothers and two sisters and enjoys reading and drawing in her free time.

As a Passenger Operations Representative, she was hand-selected over her peers to execute staircase truck operations in support of two presidential missions. She also identified a vehicle limiting factor on the new baggage conveyor, driving a new lesson plan for implementation AMC-wide. All her hard work and dedication earned her Senior Airman Below-The-Zone.

Keep up the incredible work, Dionne. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Robert Lucas is one of the many outstanding members of the Wing Staff Agencies at the 62nd Airlift Wing.

Originally from Swansea, South Carolina, Robert enjoys hiking, reading, and watching sports, especially USC football.

As an Airman Leadership School instructor, he led three flights through 400 academic hours. He also taught the 500 Foundations course to 20 NCOs and SNCOs, facilitating their comprehension of techniques that contribute to establishing robust networks, impactful communication, and a culture of trust. His commitment to Professional Military Education for Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen earned him a coin from the U.S. Coast Guard District 13 Commander.

Keep up the incredible work, Robert. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Shivkumar Rajeev is one of the many outstanding members of the 62nd Maintenance Squadron at the 62nd Airlift Wing.

Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Shiv enjoys cooking, listening to music, and playing racquet sports in his free time.

As NCOIC of the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory’s largest section, he led his Airmen through seven flawless evaluations during their biennial audit, capturing the 23rd consecutive Air Force Metrology and Calibration certification. He also trained four military members and two civilian personnel in the performance of over 4,500 equipment calibrations while maintaining a 95% quality pass rate. His accomplishments led to him being awarded the 62 MXS NCO Maintenance Professional of the Quarter.

Keep up the incredible work, Shiv. Expedite!

Senior Airman Robert Jorden is one of the many outstanding members of the 7th Airlift Squadron at the 62nd Airlift Wing.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Robert enjoys war history, gaming, and is an airplane enthusiast.

As an Operations Scheduler, he responded quickly during an in-flight emergency to ensure the safe landing of the aircrew and passengers, which earned him the Wing’s Chief of Safety Aircrew of Distinction award. He also spent a majority of 2023 overseas supporting INDOPACOM, CENTCOM, and the Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts.

Keep up the incredible work, Robert. Expedite!

Airman First Class Steven Wall is one of the many outstanding members of the 8th Airlift Squadron at the 62nd Airlift Wing.

Originally from California, Steven volunteered to be a member of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Honor Guard and enjoys art, movies, and food.

As a Loadmaster, he was pivotal in the ex*****on of a vice presidential support mission as well as a DV mission across the Pacific to support diplomatic efforts to key allies. He was also entrusted to load one of the only two “Silver Bullet” Command and Control modules with secure communication for VIPs. Continuing his development, he has been selected to complete airdrop school later this year.

Keep up the incredible work, Steven. Expedite!

Captain James Carignan is one of the many outstanding members of the 14th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston.

Originally from Windham, Maine, James enjoys camping, fishing, and running in his free time.

While acting Flight Commander during increased operations in the EUCOM and CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility, James spearheaded the 437th Airlift Wing’s aircrew tactics development to ensure safe operations in congested and dynamic airspace. With a 48-hour notice, he led a team of nine, overseeing enroute stage operations for over 250 aircraft crews. He coordinated 200+ missions, delivering 5.7 million pounds of cargo and 350+ passengers.

Keep up the excellent work, James. Expedite!

Master Sergeant Carl Kocon is one of the many outstanding members of the 15th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Carl enjoys snowboarding, camping, and engineering in his free time.

As a Loadmaster Superintendent, Carl led a 42-member airlift certification team to move 15 tanks in just ten days. He also developed training to qualify 35 members on three different material handling vehicles and streamlined four aircraft maintenance areas, increasing flightline manning capabilities by 30% and reducing aircraft turnaround times by 10 hours. His efforts earned him the squadron’s nomination for the Dutch Huyser award.

Keep up the excellent work, Carl. Expedite!

Technical Sergeant Spencer Woods is one of the many outstanding members of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base Charleston.

Originally from Washington, Iowa, Spencer works as a Flying Crew Chief Evaluator, where he has conducted five check rides, validated 478 critical tasks, and passed vital experience to new FCC cadre.

Additionally, he earned the Tuskegee Airman Award for providing crucial first aid to a pilot whose foot was crushed by a pallet during loading procedures.

Keep up the excellent work, Spencer. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Seth Tingley is one of the many outstanding members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron at Joint Base Charleston.

Originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, Seth enjoys playing video games and spending time with his family.

As a Passenger Operations Supervisor, Seth oversaw the ex*****on of Charleston’s largest AFFORGEN deployment. His attention to detail ensured the safe movement of 702 passengers across four missions, enabling the continued support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. He also led the processing of 42 Maintenance personnel in response to recent operations in the EUCOM and CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility.

Keep up the excellent work, Seth. Expedite!

Technical Sergeant Tyler Wooten distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the 436th Maintenance Squadron at Dover Air Force Base.

Originally from Alton, Illinois, Tyler enjoys motorcycle riding, modifying cars, and sports.

As the Fuel Section NCOIC, he navigated his 24-member shop through two holiday weekend surges, fixing seven aircraft and returning four of them to fully mission capable. He was also chosen as the Fuels representative for the Boeing Health of the Fleet briefing, verifying fuel quantity issues found within Boeings data. His achievements earned him a nomination for the 2023 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award, which recognizes superior performance from Maintainers.

Keep up the great work, Tyler. Expedite!

Senior Airman Thaliah Lopez, Airman First Class Sabine Mize, and Technical Sergeant Alexander Roldan distinguished themselves as outstanding members of the 436th Mission Support Group at Dover Air Force Base.

Responsible for overseeing the Emergency Management and CBRN Defense training for the Wing, Thaliah helped craft a new Command & Control course that utilizes a collaborative common operating picture for near real-time updates during incident response operations.

As a Contract Administrator, Sabine ensured the solicitation of the base custodial contract to keep 966K square feet of Dover facilities clean and professional. She was recently selected to attend OTS and become a U.S. Space Force Officer.

As the Wing Communication Security Manager, Alexander coordinated with 16th Air Force and AMC HQ to spearhead the installation of a new Top Secret circuit for base Intel. Through his efforts, he enabled enhanced capabilities not previously present at Dover AFB.

Keep up the great work, everyone. Expedite!

1st Lieutenant Amy Steigerwald distinguished herself as an outstanding member of the 436th Medical Group at Dover Air Force Base.

Originally from Warner Robins, Georgia, Amy was a full-time Emergency Medical Technician for 5 years before starting Physician Assistant school. When COVID-19 kicked off, she went back to provide care to her community while completing PA school via distance learning.

She was one of six PAs selected for the Health Professions Scholarship Program in 2020, earning a commission into the U.S. Air Force. Since then, she has led multiple medical classes certifying Wing personnel and flyers in critical life-saving skills. She also utilized her medical training to save the life of a fellow Airman during an anaphylactic emergency.

Keep up the great work, Amy. Expedite!

Major Jacob Rieth distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the 3rd Airlift Squadron at Dover Air Force Base.

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Jacob enjoys being a Presidential Advance Agent, traveling, and driving around Dover AFB.

As a Force Element Lead Planner, he coordinated with external agencies as well as Operations Group and Maintenance counterparts to support a 6-ship Off-Station Trainer with training objectives and operating locations from Dover AFB to the Rocky Mountains to Florida, fortifying the 3 AS’s goal of tackling AMC training guidance on the high-end fight.

Keep up the great work, Jacob. Expedite!

Technical Sergeant Ricky Wireman distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the Wing Staff Agencies at the 89th Airlift Wing.

Originally from Knox, Indiana, Ricky enjoys weightlifting and car detailing in his free time.

As Flight Line Protocol, he rewrote and published the first Flight Line Protocol training program, integrating diplomatic mission support to reduce time and eliminate a single point of failure. He was also coined by the President of Colombia for providing outstanding diplomatic support.

Keep up the great work, Ricky. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Erasmus Hartsfield distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the 1st Airlift Squadron at the 89th Airlift Wing.

Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Erasmus enjoys singing and is a Tony Aye Artistry Foundation Inc. Ambassador as well as a District of Columbia Wammie Music Award Nominee.

As an EMA Flight Attendant, he created the first FA Career Progression Workbook and C-32 Differences Training Guide for the 1st AS. He was also responsible for the training completion of over 100 Airmen, increasing his squadron’s operational capabilities.

Keep up the great work, Erasmus. Expedite!

Technical Sergeant Michael Schmidt distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the 89th Maintenance Group at the 89th Airlift Wing.

Originally from Lemoore, California, Michael enjoys hiking, playing video games and board games, and working on cars in his free time.

As a qualified flying crew chief, he aided the development and training of the next generation of 89th MXG flying crew chiefs. He’s also the Wing Virtual Reality lead, overcoming capability gaps and furthering training development for the wing.

Keep up the great work, Michael. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Rachel Rautio distinguished herself as an outstanding member of the 89th Aerial Port Squadron at the 89th Airlift Wing.

Originally from Marquette, Michigan, Rachel enjoys spending time with her son, hiking with her dogs, and baking.

As a Special Air Mission Passenger Services Supervisor, she was hand selected to showcase the SAMPAX mission and operations for the Wing Commander immersion. She also coordinated travel for a trilateral summit of 108 passengers, including the Republic of Korea President and the Japanese Prime Minister.

Keep up the great work, Rachel. Expedite!

Last week, the 18th Air Force team and I visited local JROTC cadets from O’Fallon Township High School and spoke with them about opportunities and benefits in the United States Air Force. It was great to see so many young, aspiring individuals express interest in joining the military, whether that’s enlistment, seeking a commissioning source, or serving in another branch.

Thank you, Colonel Violette and Senior Neeley, for the opportunity to spend time with the cadets and engage in meaningful conversation. Expedite!

Technical Sergeant Casey Calvert is one of the many hard-working Operations Airmen at Scott Air Force Base.

With a Security Forces background, Casey built Air Mobility Command's first small innovative drone program, Detachment X, which elevated warfighting capabilities for commanders. This achievement has become a defining moment in Casey’s career, granting her opportunities to help develop similarly effective programs at various DoD entities such as Basic Military Training and Volk ANG Base.

"Working in the OG is something that not a lot of cops get to do,” she said. “But working in a flying organization and getting to branch out has been a great opportunity. The 375th OG is big on mentoring. They are constantly teaching you things and they welcomed me as a cop with open arms, and I've loved every second of this job."

Keep up the fantastic work, Casey. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Daniel Merritt is one of the many hard-working Non-Commissioned Officers at Scott Air Force Base.

Originally from the 375th Civil Engineering Squadron, Daniel volunteered for the unique role of Airmen Dorm Leader. Leading by example, he started an ongoing monthly volunteer opportunity with H.E.R.O.E.S Care and bay orderlies to help sort and package goods. He’s also the base POC for Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, where his actions in organizing two events honoring veterans earned him personal praise from Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) commander.

“I want to do this job to have an impact,” he mentioned. “We have a lot of tenant units here and a lot of impact across different services and different wings, so just trying to be there for the Airmen is a big motivating factor.”

Keep up the fantastic work, Daniel. Expedite!

Staff Sergeant Calvin Sambo is one of the many hard-working Wing Staff Agencies Airmen at Scott Air Force Base.

Originally from Wilson, Louisiana, Calvin joined the United States Air Force in 2015. With a four-man team, he led funding allocations for over 160 deployers this past summer during Mobility Guardian 2023. He also stepped up to deliver vital financial analysis support for the 375th Air Mobility Wing and 35 mission partners, optimizing resource allocation and capturing $108K in rebates.

“Ray Lewis was the middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, and just seeing how he played and hit people, it looked like it hurt,” he said. “But it started some kind of competitive urge that I don't want to be carried.”

Keep up the fantastic work, Calvin. Expedite!