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AFSOC engineer has the heart of the dragon

  • Published
  • By Ed McAteer
  • Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A member from the Civil Engineer Directorate at Air Force Special Operations Command received the Cardia Draconis award at the International Association of Emergency Managers conference in San Antonio, Texas, this year from October 30 through November 4.


Thomas Graham was recognized with the award, which has only been awarded six times since 1997 and was awarded for superior leadership in the emergency management career field. The Cardia Draconis is the highest honor presented to an Air Force emergency manager.

"This award brings forth pride and fosters esprit de corps among all members of the career field," said Mike Connors, Air Force Emergency Management Program Manager at the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Tyndall AFB, Fla.

The term "cardia draconis" translates from Latin as "the heart of the dragon," something Mr. Graham's colleagues deem he has, based on his accomplishments during his 34-year career with the Air Force. Since the early 1900s, the dragon has been the symbol for the United States Army Chemical Corps. As the Air Force came forward later, the emergency management career field adopted the dragon as their most revered symbol.

"Thomas Graham earned this recognition among his peers and without doubt or hesitation surely has the "heart of the dragon," said Chief Master Sergeant Alfred Casale, the Air Force Emergency Management Career Field Manager, who presented the award at a banquet attended by more than 450 Air Force emergency managers.