An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Two 618th TACC members named chapter Airlift/Tanker Association award winners

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Justin Brockhoff
  • 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Two 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center members were selected as Airlift/Tanker Association quarterly award winners for the organization's General Robert E. Huyser Chapter for their overall contributions to mission accomplishment from July through September.

Capt. Kathryn Olsen, the 618th TACC Deputy Chief of Aeromedical Evacuation Mission Support, and Master Sgt. Michael Molzhon, a 618th TACC Special Authorization Airlift Mission planner, were selected as the Company Grade Officer of the Quarter and Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter, respectively.

Captain Olsen's efforts over the past quarter highlight Air Mobility Command's aeromedical evacuation capabilities ranging from support to the Global War on Terrorism to humanitarian operations.

"ATA is such a vast, top-notch organization, it's an honor to be recognized among this pool of people," she said.

In support of the GWOT, the captain coordinated more than 1,400 patient movements across the U.S., resulting in every wounded warrior getting to their final stateside destination in 72 hours or less.

Captain Olsen also coordinated more than 950 patient movements During Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, including 48 critical-care patient movements.

"Providing [command-and-control] and support for the men and women who conducted aeromedical evacuation missions during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike was amazing," said Captain Olsen. "From prepositioning our mobile aeromedical staging facilities in Louisiana and Texas, to coordinating [aircraft] and AE crews to evacuate critical patients, it was a proud moment for the AE community."

Sergeant Molzhon's accomplishments highlight another key part of the 618th TACC's mission - support to special authorization airlift missions, which includes VIP travel support.

"I am honored and surprised to be selected to receive this award," said Sergeant Molzhon, who entered into military service following in the footsteps of his father and grand-father.

Sergeant Molzhon's accomplishments over the last quarter include leading planning efforts for more than 50 missions in support of presidential travel to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Romania and coordination for nine missions that delivered 413 tons of critical supplies to combat troops supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

The Huyser Chapter is the largest A/TA chapter in the world with more than 900 members and personnel assigned to Scott are eligible for membership. For more information about the Huyser Chapter of the A/TA, visit www.atahuyser.org.