 |
| News > Aviano JTAC receives recognition award |
|
|
| |
| Photos | |
 |
Tech. Sgt. Peter Davey Jr. was deployed to Afghanistan, with an Army unit, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, from June to December 2010. Sergeant Davey is an 8th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller. He recently received the Department of Defense African American History Month Recognition Award for the Air Force. (Courtesy photo)
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
Aviano JTAC receives recognition award
Posted 3/4/2011
Email story
Print story
by Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/4/2011 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) -- A joint terminal attack controller assigned to the 8th Air Support Operations Support Squadron here thought he was in trouble when he received a call the night of Feb. 18 from his commander.
A follow-up call on Feb. 19 alleviated the anxiety of Tech. Sgt. Peter Davey Jr. and gave him some of the most surprising news in his Air Force career: he was the recipient of the Department of Defense African American History Month Recognition Award for the Air Force.
"It was definitely a surprise," Sergeant Davey said. "I just came from a deployment. I knew there was an award I was being put in for but I didn't know what exactly. This is definitely a major award. It is probably the biggest. I could see this as the pinnacle of all the awards I've ever received. This is huge."
The 2010 DOD African American History Month Recognition Awards are presented to service members who distinguished themselves in support of overseas contingency operations, displayed the ideals of duty, honor and country, and epitomized the core values and citizen warrior attributes of their respective military service.
"Sergeant Davey receiving the award is a no-brainer," said Lt. Col. Eric Chapital, the 8th ASOS commander. "He is one of my sharpest troops, one of the best JTACs we have. I was very impressed, but I wasn't hugely surprised. He probably has one of the best work ethics I've seen in a troop in a long time, and I've been in the military 18 years. He would stay late to get the job done. He's always prepared and always preparing to be prepared. He's always the guy who leads from the front."
From June to December 2010, Sergeant Davey was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he personally requested, deconflicted and controlled more than 360 hours of close air support, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, attack rotary wing and surface-to-surface fire.
In addition, he conducted 65 outside-the-wire operations, 35 air-assault missions and 31 dismounted operations, covering more than 240 km on patrol. He also taught coalition forces how to use digital datalink technology and instructed elite sniper personnel on how to use laser range finding equipment.
Though he is usually in harm's way, Sergeant Davey said he still loves everything about his job.
"We travel a lot and meet a lot of individuals," Sergeant Davey said. "A lot of people I work with, I don't consider them part of the general Air Force population. They're definitely a different breed. We are held to two standards: the Air Force and Army standards. It requires a little more from an individual. A lot of mental preparation comes with the job. We also have to be physically fit, more so than the normal Air Force standard."
This comes back to the reason why he joined the Air Force 10 years ago, which was to better himself, to bring something back to the community and to serve his country.
As part of his effort to keep improving himself, Sergeant Davey earned 16 credit hours toward his premedical studies and six hours toward his Master of Science degree in computer science.
He said he also plans on applying for the Air Force Enlisted Physician Assistant Commissioning Program.
Sergeant Davey said he draws a lot of inspiration from his mom, who is his role model.
"A lot of boys say their father, but it's definitely my mother," he said. "My mom raised me. She was always by herself taking care of me and my brothers. I get all my strength and endurance from her. She's smart. Her work ethic is unbelievable. She works 15 hours a day, comes home, cleans the house, and still cooks dinner and wakes up to do it all over again, no questions asked."
According to Colonel Chapital, Sergeant Davey is a role model to other Airmen because of the way he performs his job and constantly improves himself.
"He is always setting himself up for any situation and he is always looking to do better," the colonel said. "I am very proud that he represented the unit the way he did." |
|
|
|
| Adam Martinez, Texas |
| |
|
| John Glenister, Eglin AFB FL |
| |
|
| Kenny Bowers, Beautiful Washington State |
| |
|
| Add a comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
