The 224th Air Defense Group (ADG) at the Eastern Air Defense Sector recently presented outstanding service medals to seven New York Air National Guardsmen.
224th Air Defense Group:
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The Airmen were:
- Maj. Joe Miller, Meritorious Service Medal. The Assistant Chief of Standards and Evaluations at the 224th Air Defense Squadron (ADS), Miller performed superbly during four National Special Security Events, where he controlled nine air patrols that provided protection for the President, Congressional leaders and foreign dignitaries. Miller was also recognized for his work with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Inspector General team.
- 1st Lt. Quinn Tilley, Air Force Commendation Medal. Recently commissioned, Tilley received the award for his work while serving as an enlisted Airman at the 224th ADS, where he led a surveillance team that detected thousands of unknown radar tracks and validated 309 suspect aircraft. His surveillance work during three National Special Security Events helped provide security for more than 190 national and international leaders, including the President and Pope Francis. Tilley also created the first-ever validation and reporting matrix that merged advanced sensors with existing radars.
- Tech. Sgt. Robert Aikins, Meritorious Service Medal. A Security Forces Flight Chief with the 224th Support Squadron, Aikins re-wrote standards for eight exercises and conducted more than 60 evaluations that certified Airmen for critical duties. Aikins coordinated 185 training events, provided 300 hours of instruction and was the lead coordinator for EADS support of an Air Force One security detail during a Presidential visit to Rome.
- Tech. Sgt. Anibal Verdejo, Air Force Commendation Medal. A Security Forces Flight Chief, Verdejo coordinated and conducted 16 position evaluation qualifications, which certified eight sergeants and eight Airmen in Security Forces operations. Verdejo led 24 internal inspections, which identified and corrected nine areas of undetected non-compliance. Selected for an Air Force One security detail, he worked directly with Secret Service personnel during a Presidential visit to Rome.
- Staff Sgt. Brett Kilborne, Air Force Commendation Medal. A Security Forces journeyman at the 224th Support Squadron, Kilborne oversaw a $150,000 closed-circuit television contract that incorporated 13 new cameras with analytics software into the unit’s detection system. Kilborne also played a key role in developing 18 new task performance checklists and administered 38 position evaluations, which ensured the unit’s Security Forces Airmen received the required training.
- Staff Sgt. Adam Scott, Air Force Commendation Medal. A Security Forces journeyman at the 224th Support Squadron, Scott trained three firearms instructors, authored a master training plan and led maintenance efforts for 116 weapon systems worth more than $300,000. Scott coordinated and instructed more than 50 firearms classes at EADS and supported the 109th Airlift Wing pre-deployment combat arms training, where more than 70 Airmen qualified on five weapons platforms.
- Staff Sgt. Ian Stone, Air Force Commendation Medal. A Security Forces journeyman, Stone voluntarily completed a rigorous 40-hour electronic security systems certification course, which enabled him to train and certify 27 Airmen on the latest base defense technologies. Stone also worked on an Air Force One security detail during a Presidential visit to Rome and volunteered to serve as a mentor in a local elementary school.
The 224th ADG is composed of the 224th Air Defense Squadron and 224th Support Squadron, located in Rome, and Detachment 1 and Detachment 2 that serve in the Washington, D.C. area. The 224th ADG provides the forces to conduct the Eastern Air Defense Sector’s (EADS) mission. Part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Sector is responsible for the air defense of the eastern U.S.
For more information about the New York Air National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov. For more information on the Eastern Air Defense Sector and the 224th Air Defense Group, visit www.eads.ang.af.mil.
By by Tim Jones, Eastern Air Defense Sector / Published March 05, 2020
Tech. Sgt. Robert Aikins was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding performance during a recent ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome.
Tech. Sgt. Anibal Verdejo, right, of the 224th Support Squadron, was recently presented the Air Force Commendation Medal during a ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Maj. Rex Vernales, the Communications Flight Commander at the 224th Support Squadron, presented the award.
Staff Sgt. Ian Stone, right, of the 224th Support Squadron, was recently presented the Air Force Commendation Medal during a ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Maj. Rex Vernales, the Communications Flight Commander at the 224th Support Squadron, presented the award.
Staff Sgt. Brett Kilborne, right, of the 224th Support Squadron, was recently presented the Air Force Commendation Medal during a ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Maj. Rex Vernales, the Communications Flight Commander at the 224th Support Squadron, presented the award.
Staff Sgt. Adam Scott, right, of the 224th Support Squadron, was recently presented the Air Force Commendation Medal during a ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Maj. Rex Vernales, the Communications Flight Commander at the 224th Support Squadron, presented the award.
Maj. Joe Miller, right, of the 224th Air Defense Squadron (ADS), was recently presented the Meritorious Service Medal during a ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Lt. Col. Steve Rathmell, Operations Director at the 224th ADS, presented the award.
1st Lt. Quinn Tilley, right, of the 224th Air Defense Squadron (ADS) , was recently presented the Air Force Commendation Medal during a ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Lt. Col. Steve Rathmell, Operations Director at the 224th ADS, presented the award.
