AETC names Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award nominees Published Aug. 25, 2006 By Megan Orton Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) -- The Air Education and Training Command has chosen nominees for the Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award. These officers and enlisted members were selected for their outstanding demonstration of the highest qualities of leadership in their duties and lives. Lt. Col. Stephen M. Browning, 12th Communications Squadron commander, Randolph AFB, Texas, is the Senior Officer Category nominee. Colonel Browning oversaw $5 million in improvements to the entire Randolph communications infrastructure. These improvements have significantly increased the squadron's capabilities to support its diverse customer base, said Bud McAuliffe, 12th Communications Squadron deputy base communications officer. He also organized relocation of the early warning system for Randolph's command post renovation project, saving $5,000. "Lieutenant Colonel Browning leads by example, ensuring our Air Force core values are put into practice in all that we do," Mr. McAuliffe said. "He encourages his people to 'think outside the box' and to develop new and effective solutions to old and new problems, which is one of the main reasons our unit is so successful in accomplishing its mission." Capt. Patrick R. Stephens, 314th Security Forces Squadron operations officer at Little Rock AFB, Ark., was nominated in the Junior Officer Category. Captain Stephens directed flight line security for 84 aircraft worth $1 billion and transient aircraft including Air Force One. He is also responsible for 218 personnel who provide security and law enforcement support for Little Rock AFB every day. The award package, submitted by Lt. Col. Donald W. Wingate, 314th SFS commander, said, "Captain Stephens' calm, decisive leadership and resolve were ever-present in putting down enemy aggressions." While deployed, Captain Stephens directed actions of more than 300 Airmen and Soldiers and demonstrated what Colonel Wingate called "life saving heroics" during a riot involving more than 3,000 detainees. Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, director of pararescue training, Det. 1, 342nd Recruiting Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M., is AETC's Senior Enlisted nominee for the award. Sergeant Colon-Lopez was selected from 140 premier pararescuemen (PJs) to become director of training and led a deployment of 20 hand-picked PJs from the special tactics advanced forces. As the combat search and rescue lead planner for 22 high-risk classified missions into enemy territory and 15 direct action missions during Operation Enduring Freedom, his team's efforts resulted in two Al Qaeda terrorist deaths and 12 captures. "Master Sergeant Colon-Lopez is a leader in every sense of the word," said Chief Master Sgt. Everett Evans, PJ/Combat Rescue Officer school commandant and Sergeant Colon-Lopez's supervisor. "He knows the mission, he knows his job, he knows his subordinates' jobs and he knows how the unit vision fits into the big picture." Chief Evans said Sergeant Colon-Lopez's focus is in "doing the right thing for the right reasons." In the Junior Enlisted Category, Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Gill III, Enlisted Accessions recruiter for the 361st Recruiting Squadron, Vancouver, Wash., was nominated. He encouraged 41 highly qualified applicants to join the Air Force, 170 percent of his target goal. He was also awarded the Recruiter Badge for his achievement. Aside from recruiting, Sergeant Gill serves as the squadron's Enlisted Advisory Council President and is his church's youth group leader -- mentoring and organizing activities for 32 youths. "Staff Sergeant Gill is one of the most outstanding young troops I have had the opportunity to supervise," said Master Sgt. Troy Jensen, Gill's supervisor. "Staff Sgt. Gill is our future Air Force, and I'm proud to have worked with him." Air Force level competition results are likely to be announced by the end of the year. For more information, please contact Connie Wells at DSN 487-6085 or Master Sgt. Michele Tennyson at DSN 487-6134.