by Gloria Kwizera
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
4/27/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- An Air Force NCO and civilian were selected as the Air Force's 2012 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award winners, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced April 27.
Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Timpany, with Air Force Special Operations Command, and Gayle C. Blue-Keyes, with the U.S. Air Force Academy, will accept their awards during ceremonies June 3-8 at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Denver, Colo.
The SAIGE Meritorious Service Award honors male and female military members and Department of Defense civilian employees who support the DOD global conflict and humanitarian missions, said Staff Sgt. Leland T. Moseley, of the AFPC Special Trophies and Awards Section.
Timpany displayed excellence in combat when he halted a fire mission on five local farmers who had been misidentified as insurgents, directly preventing civilian casualties and avoiding a tactical mistake with strategic implications. As a leader in the sensor operator community, he identified a critical manning shortfall and presented a solution to senior headquarters staff, protecting unit mission capability. He also helped coordinate multiple training sorties focused on teaching crew members to operate a new, more complex sensor system.
Blue-Keyes' leadership and expertise shaped security policies and fostered an inclusive work environment. She chaired and hosted the first-ever Air Force Academy Air Force Security Advisory Council, working to engage all mission partners and the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, ensuring all remained aware of current information protection challenges. Additionally, Blue-Keyes partnered with the Academy commandant to streamline the top secret clearance application process for more than 1,100 future second lieutenants. She assisted the undersecretary of defense for intelligence in a premier of the first security-credentialing program, shaping certification for thousands of DOD security professionals. Blue-Keyes is a diversity advocate, investing time and energy in support of Anishinaabe youth programs and working to increase Air Force Academy understanding of Anishinaabe culture.
For more information about personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.
