Bronze Star, meritorious medals awarded to members of Team Hill

  • Published
  • By By Lee Anne Hensley
  • Hilltop Times staff
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  On March 17, Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, presented medals to several members of Team Hill for their commendable service in the Air Force.

Duane Sauve of the OO-ALC Engineering Directorate received the Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Medal for his distinguished performance from January 2007 until January 2009 in his role as a nuclear integration lead for the OO-ALC. Sauve built and deployed critical enhancements to Air Force processes and tools which assess the developed and sustained war fighting systems technology and maturity, manufacturing readiness and systems integrations risks. These factors enhance program planning and execution and will improve portfolio costs and scheduled performance.

Master Sgt. James Washington of the OO-ALC Equal Opportunity Office received the Meritorious Service Medal for distinguishing himself in June 2008. During this time he functioned as superintendent of the military equal opportunity program and director of Equal Opportunity office while serving at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, where he displayed superior leadership and team building skills. He successfully managed the Air Force mandated merger of the military equal opportunity and the civilian equal employment opportunity programs to create the new equal opportunity program.

Col. Craig Miller of the OO-ALC Staff Judge Advocate was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters for service he performed between July 2006 and July 2008 in his role as staff judge advocate at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Miller devised the headquarters' legal response to the reorganization plan for Clear Air Force Station, Alaska, diverting positions from Title 10 to Title 32 within the Alaska Air National Guard. He helped identify significant legal concerns to help the command avoid statutory violations and helped Peterson AFB to guarantee buffer zones for anti-terrorism and judgment actions.

Most notably, Col. Calvin Williams, 75th Air Base Wing vice commander, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional service in his role as director of Engineering and Environment Directorate for the Multi-National Force -- Iraq, from July 2007 until July 2008. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Williams actively delivered a $7 million contract for surveys of Iraqi waterways to help the area develop economic growth. He developed a comprehensive, world class environmental program from a concept to a finished product, ensuring support to 160,000 coalition troops in Iraq. He also arranged key base relationships with the government of Iraq, enhancing readiness for the enrichment of coalition personnel and returning wartime assets of more than 60 bases.

The families of the honored Airmen were present at the recognition ceremony, which was commended by Close during her closing statement.

"I think it's great that the families are here to be part of the recognition of our fine Airmen," Close said, and added that she was honored to present the awards.