Airmen honored for combatant deployment roles

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) --  The Air Force recently named three Fort Hood, Texas, Airmen the first recipients of three new awards during a ceremony at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon.

The new awards honor members of the tactical air control party career field. Two of the awards are named after TACP Airmen who gave their lives during Operation Enduring Freedom -- the Raymond Losano TACP Award and the Jacob Frazier TACP Joint Terminal Attack Controller Award. The third is the Fighter Duty Technician of the Year Award.

The first-ever recipient of the Losano Award is Senior Airman Andre Andrews. While deployed as a part of OEF, Airman Andrews engaged several enemy combatants. Following a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crash, he called in close-air support, helping save 12 lives.

"This has been a powerful experience," Airman Andrews said. "We were all out on the football field for physical training when they told us about the awards. I'm humbled and honored; this is just a great career field to be in."

The Losano Award recognizes outstanding TACP apprentice or journeyman ranked senior airman or below. To be nominated for the award, an Airman must be certified combat mission ready and deployed in a TACP role.

The first recipient of the Frazier Award is Staff Sgt. Francis Lott III. Sergeant Lott was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and controlled 556 combat sorties. His efforts resulted in the capture of 170 anti-Iraqi forces and the clearing of 3,600 kilometers of road. He is trained 40 Iraqi police officers how to use small arms.

The parents of Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier were on hand to co-present the award that is named after their son. Sergeant Lott said their presence made receiving the award even more poignant.

"This has been overwhelming, and I'm honored that Sergeant Frazier's parents could be here for this," he said. "To be honest, we were all just doing our jobs and I think we're all just thankful we had the skills necessary for that. But to be in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon is amazing, and a lot of what we do now is owed to the people honored here."

The Frazier Award is given to the TACP JTAC of the year. Nominees for the award must be senior airman through master sergeant and must have served at least five months in a career field-tasked deployment.

The Fighter Duty Technician of the Year award was given to Staff Sgt. Christopher Avalos. Sergeant Avalos was recently deployed in support of OEF where he controlled more than 2,000 hours of close-air support, electronic warfare and armed reconnaissance support to ground maneuver units. He was also the lead FDT for the Virtual Flag exercise.

"It's exciting to get this award," Sergeant Avalos said. "I feel very blessed to receive it. I also feel a little frightened, because now I have a lot more to live up to."

The Fighter Duty Technician Award recognizes Airmen ranked E-7 or below with at least one year as an FDT. Other requirements include a five-month or greater deployment to an air support operations center and combat mission ready certification.

Maj. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, was the guest speaker at the award ceremony.

"I couldn't be more proud and thankful for your service," said General Newton.
 
"I wake up every morning with full confidence that people like you are down range doing our nation's work and making us all safer," the General said. 

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