Three Wolf Pack Airmen earn Sijan award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Three Wolf Pack Airmen have been named the 8th Fighter Wing 2009-2010 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award winners.

The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.

"We are proud of these Airmen and their accomplishments," said Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "They are among an elite group of Airmen recognized for their outstanding leadership and dedication to the Wolf Pack and Air Force mission."

The junior officer category winner is Capt. Shawn Redmond, who was the 8th Security Forces Squadron operations officer during the award period. Captain Redmond's outstanding leadership of 260 military and civilian personnel contributed immeasurably to the success of the 8th Fighter Wing. He integrated 1,172 Security Forces and Korean National Police in the deterrence of 483 anti-American protestors, protecting 2,700 United States personnel and enabling uninterrupted wing operations. Additionally, Captain Redmond volunteered as an income tax assistance representative and prepared 464 state and federal tax returns, saving $39,880 in filing fees and returning $417,651 to wing members. He recently changed stations to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The senior enlisted category winner is Senior Master Sgt. Brian Pollreis, 8th Maintenance Squadron avionics flight chief. Sergeant Pollreis displayed outstanding leadership abilities while managing and guiding the avionics flight personnel during the award period. Through his hands-on leadership, Sergeant Pollreis was able to lead his flight through the 2010 8th Fighter Wing Unit Compliance Inspection with an unparalleled zero discrepancies found by inspectors. Additionally, Sergeant Pollreis' volunteerism to base and local community was not only inspiring, but fostered numerous subordinates and peers to follow suit.

The junior enlisted category winner is Staff Sgt. Saquadrea Crosby, 8th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of the Public Health force health management flight. During the award period, Sergeant Crosby diligently led her team to recapture hearing audiogram evaluations for the wing's at-risk population, bringing the tested percentage up to 98. Her leadership was vital with management of the wing's Preventive Health Assessment and Individual Medical Readiness status, influenza and H1N1 immunization campaigns which placed the Wolf Pack No. 1 in the AF with PIMR, and No. 1 in Pacific Air Forces with both campaigns. Lastly, Sergeant Crosby's contributions were vital in Public Health being selected as PACAF's Public Health Team of the Year 2009.

The Lance P. Sijan award was first presented in 1981. It is named in honor of the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Captain Sijan was shot down over Vietnam on Nov. 9, 1967, and evaded capture for 45 days despite severe injuries. He later died while in a Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp and was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism.