SECAF presents first Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medals, Academy grad among recipients

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • Air Force Global Strike Command
BOSSIER CITY, La. (AFNS) --  BOSSIER CITY, La. (AFNS) - Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal for the first time to 25 Airmen during Air Force Global Strike Command's 2014 Global Strike Challenge, Nov. 5.

James approved the award earlier this year to recognize Airmen for their contributions to the nation's strategic nuclear deterrence objectives and presented the medals during the symposium at the Bossier Civic Center, here.

"There is no mission more important to our nation's security than the nuclear mission," James said.

At the challenge, the secretary talked about perseverance and facing adversity. In any endeavor, success doesn't come easy - it's what comes after that's important, she said.

"The example you've set over the last year shows Airmen across the service - in the combat Air Forces, the mobility Air Forces, in space and cyberspace - overcoming adversity really is a step on the path to success," James said.

In the mind of one Airman, the medal is part of a larger effort to affect change within the nuclear enterprise culture,

"It's one of the steps in creating a new culture among missileers and anyone associated with missiles, reinvigorating our mission and what we do for America," said 1st Lt. Carolyn Hockaday, a medal recipient and missile combat crew commander at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.  "Without us and the rest of the triad, America wouldn't be as safe."

Recipients
Airman 1st Class Robert Cook, 1st Lt. Victoria Fort, Staff Sgt. Brett Jordan, Staff Sgt. Kamuela Kalilikane, Capt. Clyde Vickery and Tech. Sgt. Matthew Westad, of Minot AFB, ND.

Airman Riley Borges, Capt. Dan Cook, Capt. David Skelly, Class of '10 Academy grad, and Airman 1st Class Joseph Tucker, of F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.

First Lt. Carolyn Hockaday, Staff Sgt. Bob Kohlenberg Airman 1st Class Andrew Matthews, Staff Sgt. Amber Moore, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Zachary, of Malmstrom AFB.

Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Neer and Staff Sgt. Cole Miller, of Whiteman AFB, MO.
Tech. Sgt. Erin Bernik, Capt. Mehul Brahmbhatt,  Tech. Sgt. Jessica Chebaro, Staff Sgt. Nicole Cowles, Staff Sgt. Giavonia Fields, Master Sgt. Janie Rodriguez, Tech. Sgt. Crystal Velez-Greenhill, Staff Sgt. Giavonia Fields and Maj. Raymundo Vann, of Barksdale AFB.