HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Special Operations Command medical Airmen were recognized during the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States annual awards dinner on Nov. 29 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Maryland.
Two Airmen and one unit within AFSOC were awarded for outstanding contributions to the readiness of the medical mission.
Maj. Regan Lyon, 720th Operations Support Squadron Special Operations Surgical Team emergency medicine physician, received the Military Health System Female Physician Leadership Award (junior category). This award recognizes primary field achievements as well as contributions to enhancing the role of women in medicine.
Lyon was recognized as the first female on the Special Operations Medical Association Board of Directors for pushing trauma standards by top Department of Defense leadership. Lyon also strengthened deployment capability by shaping the integration of women in Special Tactics.
“Regan has distinguished herself from her peers not only for her exemplary medical skills as an Air Force physician, but also for her forward and innovative leadership within the special operations community,” said Lt. Col. Michael Wendelken, 720th OSS commander. “Regan is emblematic of what makes our Special Operations Surgical Team (SOST) operators extraordinary. She is a standout leader on the battlefield, in the team room and within her medical treatment facility.”
Master Sgt. Jeff Mayberry, 21st Special Tactics Squadron independent duty medical technician, received the AMSUS Lewis L. Seaman Enlisted Award for Outstanding Operational Support, Senior Enlisted category. This award recognizes professionals who made significant impacts in the areas of patient care, clinical support, healthcare management, and the medical mission.
Mayberry supported care for 660 aircrew members in the 22nd Medical Group flight medicine clinic. He also led training, readiness skills verification and career development for 31 enlisted medical technicians.
“MSgt Mayberry has recently served in a multitude of venues that have advanced outcomes in patient care, clinical support and healthcare management,” said Dr. Scott Stafford, 21st STS flight surgeon. “His contributions continue to advance the Air Force Medical Services mission to ensure medically fit forces, provide expeditionary medics and to deliver trusted care.”
The 27th Operational Support Medicine Flight received the AMSUS Medical Logistics Award. This award recognizes teams that made significant contributions to medical acquisition or logistics and impacted mission accomplishment.
27th OSM staff supported 30 taskings, 3,300 flying hours and 1,300 deployers. The team also maintained 20 War Reserve Material packages with over 8,000 items valued at $3.1 million, which allowed providers to deliver care and medical treatment across eight combatant commands.
“The 27th OSM team excelled, even during its own manning issues, to support the mission at home and down range with exceptional expertise and efficiency,” said Lt. Col. Kenny Hamlett, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron commander. “The team enabled the 27th Special Operations Wing, the 24th SOW, AFSOC, and United States Special Operations Command to support operational and humanitarian missions around the world without fail.”
The 27th OSM also received the AMSUS Humanitarian Assistance Award for Hurricane Irma relief efforts in the Caribbean.
The unit earned the award for preparing 16,000 pounds and $330,000 of medical equipment for aerial transport and delivery within 16 hours of notification and treating 400 victims in three countries, prior to evacuation.
“The team’s mission was an overwhelming success,” said Hamlett. “Providing food, water, medication, initial treatment, and evacuation from three countries. The valiant efforts of the OSM flight saved vast numbers of lives at risk due to the devastation caused by Irma, all while maintaining regular contingency operations with no fail or degradation in capabilities.”