Kadena first responders recognized for typhoon rescue

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  U.S. and Japanese members of the 18th Security Forces Squadron the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron involved in the rescue of two trapped security forces squadron members were recognized by Brig. Gen. James Hecker, 18th Wing commander, here Sept. 12 at the Kadena Officers' Club. 

The Air Force Commendation Medal was presented to:
Master Sgt. Brad Reeves, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Spain, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Matthew Edwards, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Damon Nash, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman Adam Thompson, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman Joseph Jones III, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman Pohan Wang, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Airman 1st Class Christian Mandigma, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Airman 1st Class Cody Watson, 18th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Jonathan Merritt, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Joshua Verray, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Flores, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Aaron Duggins, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Jason Nichols, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Tech. Sgt. James Wolnik, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Jerry Reynolds, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Shawn Gilman, 18th Medical Operations Squadron

The Air Force Achievement Medal was presented to:
Airman 1st Class Carlos Ballesteros, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Airman 1st Class David Clark, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Airman 1st Class Cody Cobb, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Airman 1st Class Brandon Ryfiak, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Senior Airman Temujin Gutierrez, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron

The outstanding achievement award was presented to:
Tsuyoshi Taira, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Moritaka Shiroma, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Reiki Hokama, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron
Masanori Okuda, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron

These military and local national members earned these awards through acts of courage and achievement during the rescue of two 18th Security Forces Squadron response force members July 9. Airman 1st Class Brandon Miles and Airman 1st Class Roderick Jones were rescued by this team of first responders while on duty here during Super Typhoon Neoguri. The typhoon struck the western coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 7 through 9.