* Name/rank: Staff Sergeant Derek Davila
* Unit: Joint Personal Property Shipping Office-South Central
* Duty title: NCOIC, DPM Invoicing
* Time in service: 7 Years, 0 months
* Hometown: Littlefield, TX
* First Sergeant’s comments on why this individual is deserving of recognition:
Staff Sgt. Derek Davila is an outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer that exemplifies great leadership and professionalism. He managed the workload of three technicians that approved 5.9 thousand invoices totaling $2.7 million in personal property services. His astute fiduciary oversight was crucial in identifying 38 erroneous storage fees which saved the Department of Defense $12K in unauthorized charges. He continues to separate himself as an outstanding leader and NCO who exemplifies the Air Force core values. His work performance and dedication was key to the unit seizing the 2016 Personal Property Activity Headquarters Detachment of the Year. Additionally, Staff Sgt. Davila has led and participated in numerous base and community activities. Most recently, he teamed with the Texas Ramp Project where he contributed more than 16 hours to build and install handicap ramps that bolstered the quality of life for a youth center and a Purple Heart veteran.
* Name/rank: Tech Sgt. Kevin Lange
* Unit: 624th Operations Center
* Duty title: NCOIC, Defensive Cyber Operations
* Time in service: 13 Years
* Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
* First Sergeant’s comments on why this individual is deserving of recognition:
Technical Sergeant Kevin M. Lange is assigned as a Senior Defensive Cyber Operations Controller, for 624th Operations Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. As the Senior Defensive Cyber Operations Controller, he prepares and briefs senior leadership on cyber mission executions that operate and defend the $14 Billion Air Force Information Network. He oversees 18 operators and manages the execution of daily defensive cyber operations across the Air Force Information Network. In addition, he is also the lead trainer and certifier for all personnel assigned to Defensive Cyber Operations. He was recently recognized by the 624 Operations Center Commander for his outstanding work supporting USCYBERCOM missions. TSgt Lange is also the primary Self Aid/Buddy Care instructor ensuring 180 personnel are deployment-ready. His energetic attitude and dedication to the mission greatly impacts the performance output of his entire team.
* Name/rank: Airman 1st Class Elliot Brekken
* Unit: 625th ACOMS
* Duty title: Knowledge Operations Manager
* Time in service: 2 years
* Hometown: Crookston, Minn.
* First Sergeant’s comments on why this individual is deserving of recognition:
Airman 1st Class Brekken is always willing to step up to assist his leadership as well as his fellow Airmen. He assisted another work center with receiving more than 500 new computers as well as disposition of old and faulty information technology equipment. Besides being a stellar Airmen he is a great asset to organization and community. He organized the 625th ACOMS Thanksgiving Potluck for more than 150 family members as well as piloted the AFCEA ACE/WWP Silent Auction Golf Event ticket sales that raised more than $30 thousand. He has amazing time management skills, dress in appearance and courtesy are impeccable. He is a go to individual. No matter what the task is, you can count on him to get it done correctly with little guidance.
* Name/rank: Airman 1st Class Felipe Morais
* Unit: 59th MDSG
* Duty title: Commander Support Staff Technician
* Time in service: 1 year 8 months
* Hometown: Framingham, Mass.
* First Sergeant’s comments on why this individual is deserving of recognition:
Airman 1st Class Felipe Morais serves as commander support staff technician, performs commander support staff functions supporting 4 thousand active duty and reserve staff encompassing seven groups and 18 squadrons, promotions program technician; coordinates with base testing office and ensures members receive career impacting tools. In this role, he monitors and notifies members of promotion eligibility by engaging with unit first sergeants and assures members receive the test date notifications in a timely manner, also identifying and resolving any scheduling conflicts. His attention to detail is vital in confirming members assigned to the medical wing are present at the designated testing location, issuing 250 Air Force Form 1566’s for E5, E6, E7, E8, and E9 testing cycles. He has successfully provided 200 face to face individual retirement briefings, dedicating 70 hours in total, by doing so he eased alleviated stress created by the retirement process for members. Also, he out-processed 100 members for retirement and ensured all of them left with their retirement certificates in hand by processing and issuing 375 retirement certificates. To conclude, his professionalism and determination as the medical wing’s retirement representative he made sure that the retirement certificates were printed, signed, and readied for picked up within a week of the initial retirement briefing. Airman 1st Class Morais is the personification of the Air Force core values.
* Name/rank: Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Berg
* Unit: 343rd TRS
* Duty title: Security Forces Apprentice Course, Instructor
* Time in service: 8 years
* Hometown: Hudson, Wis.
* First Sergeant’s comments on why this individual is deserving of recognition:
Staff Sgt. Berg’s tenure while assigned to the 343rd TRS has been nothing short of exemplary. His eight years of service have proven to be an integral aspect of training future security forces defenders. Since his arrival Berg has been directly responsible for developing four new instructors while mentoring 104 students assigned to his team. Furthermore, he helped rewrite the deadly force and active shooter curriculum for all Security Forces Apprentice Course Airmen. Finally, Berg led six hours of Air-mindedness training paving the way for the future of our force. His hard work and unparalleled dedication to his unit and the U.S. Air Force make him the perfect candidate for the diamond sharp award.