Four Recognized for Outstanding Performance

  • Published
  • By Tim Jones
  • Eastern Air Defense Sector

The 224th Air Defense Group recently presented service medals for outstanding performance to four New York Air National Guardsmen.

  • Lt. Col. Jennifer King,  Meritorious Service Medal. King successfully directed more than 80 Presidential support missions, integrated joint military efforts on a $2 billion sensor system operational test and helped the unit achieve the highest possible rating on a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) inspection.
  • Maj. Gareth Scofield, Meritorious Service Medal. Scofield led more than 200 live-fly air defense missions, developed an innovative information sharing system with U.S. Coast Guard helicopters, and led the development of a new homeland defense operational plan.
  • Maj. Bradley Dunford, Meritorious Service Medal. Dunford expertly directed his section during five national special security events, 17 Presidential support missions and Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. The first NORAD Air Battle Manager to graduate from the U.S. Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Course, Dunford was rated as an “exceptionally qualified” senior director instructor and played a key role in a unit manpower study.   
  • Tech. Sgt. Derek Miceli, Air Force Commendation Medal. Miceli earned an “exceptionally qualified” rating as a weapons director technician and successfully supported 57 air defense missions, ensuring critical communication links with external agencies worked as designed. As an identification technician, he developed and trained 34 Airmen on 16 different training scenarios.

The 224th Air Defense Group (ADG) is composed of the 224th Air Defense Squadron and 224th Support Squadron, located in Rome, and Detachment 1 and Detachment 2 that serve in the Washington, D.C. area. The 224th ADG provides the forces to conduct the Eastern Air Defense Sector’s (EADS) mission. Part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Sector is responsible for the air defense of the eastern U.S.

For more information about the New York Air National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov. For more information on the 224th Air Defense Group and the Eastern Air Defense Sector, visit www.eads.ang.af.mil.

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