374 MDOS Airman earns national VFW recognition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Summers
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
An Airman from the 374th Medical Operations Squadron won the 2006 Veterans of Foreign Wars National Emergency Medical Technician Gold Medal Award.

Senior Airman Ontario Rogers earned the award due to his performance of his job within the squadron and the community.

"He has a contagious, positive personality and has quickly become my go-to technician," said Tech. Sgt.
Tanya Hubbard, 374 MDOS, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Urgent Care. "I know that anything I assign him will be completed quickly and without error. He's a great trainer for our younger technicians and has an excellent rapport with them."

The award is given to an individual who actively provides emergency medical treatment and rescue service assistance to citizens.

"My overall impression upon meeting Airman Rogers was that he shows strong leadership qualities, is
a sharp Airman and is a strong role model, not only for the medical group but for the base," said Kevin Mitchell, base commander of VFW and district commander of VFW for Japan.

Airman Rogers has already made future plans to use this award to further his career knowledge.

"Now that I have completed one of my short term goals, earning my Community College of the Air Force degree in Allied Health Science, I can now focus on preparing a package for the Airman Education and Commissioning Program," he said.

"It would be a dream of mine to be accepted into the program to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, receive a commission and continue to serve in the Air Force as an officer," said Airman Rogers. "The VFW award will help me tremendously in achieving this future goal I have set for myself."

During his most recent deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he helped establish a new medical unit that was tasked with providing medical services to detainees. He also assisted in sustaining emergency response for the military personnel supporting detainee operations.

After his deployment, Airman Rogers was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his dedication to duty, initiative and motivation.

Since June, Airman Rogers has been assigned to the 374 MDOS urgent care unit as a shift leader where he supports emergency services for approximately 8,500 patients annually.

"He has stepped into the leadership role in many areas to include emergency driver training and fitness monitor," said Sergeant Hubbard. "He is respected by peers and coworkers alike."

Although the people who work with him see his professionalism on a daily basis, this award signifies the accomplishments Airman Rogers has achieved in his career field.

According to the citation, this award also recognizes the honoree's preeminent abilities, the compassion for their fellow human beings, the knowledge of and performance of their duties, the integrity and honor of the recipient and the service to the public, the state and the nation.

Airman Rogers' was selected by a national level board as was one of 29 other nominees submitted for this award. Other nominees were submitted from seven countries.