Four Airmen awarded leadership award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Four Airmen were recognized as Holloman's 2007 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award winners at the Warrior Call July 20. 

Maj. Brian Ogawa, 49th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations, Capt. Peter Jackson, 49th Security Forces Squadron operations officer, Master Sgt. Sonja Stoute, 49th Medical Support Squadron superintendent, and Tech. Sgt. Learie Gaitan, 49th Services Squadron readiness and training NCOIC, received this award named after Capt. Lance P. Sijan and recognizes the accomplishments of Airmen who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership in the performance of their duties and the conduct of their lives. 

"It's an award that honors an American hero," said Major Ogawa. "A hero that evaded capture for 45 days and a man of courage and persistence who withstood horrendous conditions as a POW in Vietnam before he gave all." 

Major Ogawa won the award as the acting DO for the 49 OSS when he oversaw more than 3,680 sorties and 5,920 flying hours. He paved the way for an emerging mission in the F-117A as the number one close air support instructor pilot in the 49th Operations Group. He also led highway cleanup, a "Toys for Africa" drive and a Christmas Adopt a Family program. 

Captain Jackson's accomplishments were during a tour at Camp Bucca, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He led more than 100 Airmen charged with guarding more than 2,800 detainees in three compounds and 13,000 detainees overall. He was directly responsible for settling a riot involving more than 1,000 detainees who became combative. He taught nine Cub Scouts about bike safety and crime prevention and spearheaded the 2007 Police Week events in Alamogordo. 

Sergeant Stoute led six flights and 65 members in the 49 MDSS. She ensured all members were trained and compliant in all aspects to accomplish the mission. As NCOIC of the medical laboratory, she managed accurate analyses of more than 65,000 annual lab procedures. She also led the wing's NCO Professional Enhanceent Course, providing strong mentorship for junior enlisted members. 

Sergeant Gaitan maintained the readiness and training program for more than 350 military and civilian squadron members, ensuring all personnel were prepared for their duties and deployments. He revived the wing's search and recovery program, training 70 members and staging $5,000 for the commander's quality of life vision for the base populace. He renovated two facilities and developed a customer service course curriculum for Holloman. 

"I feel completely honored and humbled," said the major. "It's impossible to do justice to an award named after such a hero. I'm thankful to my unit and leaders for the opportunity to live up to its name."