USFK commander recognizes ORI outstanding performers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The United States Forces Korea commander visited Osan Air Base May 4 to recognize 14 outstanding performers and congratulate the base on its excellent rating during the 2011 Operational Readiness Inspection.

Gen. Walter L. Sharp spoke accolades of the base and its mission, and took time to coin the 14 outstanding performers of the April inspection.

"Today General Sharp is here to congratulate team Osan and to recognize our outstanding performers during the 2011 Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection," said Col. Mark DeLong, 51st Fighter Wing vice commander. "As our commander, his priorities sound very familiar and resonate with our own calls to battle."

"Number one with a bullet -- be prepared to fight and win," Colonel DeLong said. "That is exactly what we do here, and that is exactly what we showed the world a few weeks ago."

General Sharp thanked everyone for the opportunity to congratulate the base and mentioned what an outstanding job the wing did during the ORI. Its members received excellent or higher in almost every area across the spectrum of the exercise.

"I want you all to know I am also very proud of your success," the general said. "Your commitment to the mission sends a very strong signal to North Korea and the greater northeast Asia region."

General Sharp said the capabilities here at Osan are a great resource that can stand up against, and stop any threat that tries to ruin the peace and stability in the region. A stability many have worked very hard to uphold.

"You have demonstrated your capability to accomplish your assigned wartime task and you have strengthened our joint and combined message of deterrence," the general said. "I am more competent than ever that our ability to respond remains unmatched."

He then took the time to recognize, congratulate and coin the 14 Airmen who were exceptional performers during the ORI.

Those recognized were:

Maj. Joshua Wood, 51st Operation Support Squadron
Maj. Sean Penrod, 36th Fighter Squadron
Capt. Travis Stephensen, 51st Medical Operations Squadron
Capt. Raquel Cummins, 51st Communications Squadron
Capt. Bennett Merriman, 25th Fighter Squadron
Capt. Dan Lindsey, 36th Fighter Squadron
Capt. Yvonne Brakel, 51st Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate
Tech. Sgt. Marcus Andrade, 51st Medical Support Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Derek Kelly, 51st Force Support Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Kurt Kanzler, 51st Munitions Squadron
Tech. Sgt Amy Hartman, 621st Air Control Squadron
Staff Sgt. Daniel MacPherson, 621st Air Control Squadron
Staff Sgt. Lee Nguyen, 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron
Senior Airman Tyler Dooley, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron

"For the past 57 years U.S Forces in Korea have deterred all-out war," General Sharp said. "The fact that the Airmen assigned to Osan are ready to perform their wartime missions during contingency, or as part of the force sustaining mission, ensures that peace and prosperity will continue."