Air Force awards Airman for medical readiness Published March 16, 2006 By Senior Airman S.I. Fielder 347th Rescue Wing public affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Air Force Medical Service named a staff sergeant assigned to the 347th Medical Group as their Outstanding Medical Expeditionary / Operation Readiness Noncommissioned Officer of 2005. Staff Sgt. Cordell Roberson, currently a network administrator for the 347th MDG, received the award for his accomplishments as the NCO in charge of medical readiness for the 347th Aeromedical Dental Squadron. “I’m not usually speechless but that day I was,” said Sergeant Roberson. “I could not have reached this level of success without the support I received, starting at the medical group.” Sergeant Roberson’s excellence can be supported by the other awards he’s received. The 347th MDG named him their NCO of the year for 2005, and Air Force Special Operations Command named him Medical Readiness / Aeromedical Evacuation NCO of the year for 2004 and 2005. To earn these recognitions, Sergeant Roberson managed all medical deployments. He tracked and executed more than 20 readiness training tasks for 190 active duty and 45 civilians he designed a study guide to ensure the 347th MDG reached 100 percent compliance nine months before the AFSOC deadline. The sergeant also assisted with a real-world bomb threat on base. After a suspicious package was called in, he ensured more than 400 patients and providers evacuated within five minutes. “I followed appropriate procedures for suspicious packages outlined by wing guidance,” he said. “Fortunately, the package was not a real threat; but the 347th MDG executed our process perfectly, potentially saving lives.” His response to Joint Task Force Hurricane Katrina served as the pinnacle of his year. Sergeant Roberson mobilized two medical Airmen in five hours, who provided food, water and facilities. “He’s a get-the-job-done kind of guy,” said Senior Master Sgt. Scott Reid, 347th ADS superintendent.