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Staff Sergeant Shawn M. Sutamavong distinguished himself by meritorious service as Maintenance Operations Controller, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Staff, Undisclosed Location. During this period, Sergeant Sutamavong deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, filling a critical manning shortfall. He processed maintenance status and needs for eight units comprised of sixty-four aircraft across seven airframes, completing one thousand eight hundred status changes, and facilitated the delivery of five million seven hundred thousand pounds of fuel, enabling thirty-two thousand one hundred and thirty-six flight hours. Additionally, Sergeant Sutamavong executed one hundred thirty-eight quick reaction checklists where he initiated emergency personnel response for seventeen injuries, and fifteen in-flight and ground emergencies, safeguarding one thousand sixty-three maintenance personnel, and the wings six-billion-dollar aircraft fleet. Finally, Sergeant Sutamavong teamed with production and operations to create a consolidated maintenance and flying schedule, facilitating the uninterrupted generation of four thousand one hundred seventy-nine sorties, and two hundred and sixty-nine thousand pounds of ordinance. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Sutamavong reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Meritorious service while serving as Director of Operations, 31st Maintenance Squadron, 31st Maintenance Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy, from 27 August 2019 to 11 June 2023. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Captain Talmadge resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 31st Fighter Wing's crucial integration with 25 NATO partners and the execution of over 33,000 flying hours. In addition, Captain Talmadge stood up a mission sustainment command and control element within Aviano's Wing Operations Center in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine which facilitated the 31st Fighter Wing's seamless alignment with the NATO Air Tasking Order, and enabled over 3,000 combat air patrols. Moreover, as Officer in Charge, 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, he led mission generation and support efforts of three Wings during Exercise THRACIAN VIPER, validating NATO's enhanced Air Policing tactics and increasing F-16 aircrew combat mission ready certifications by twenty five percent. Finally, as Director of Operations, Captain Talmadge upheld the highest standards of the Wing's nuclear surety program, supporting seven surety exercises and garnering the squadron's 2022 USAFE Maintenance Effectiveness Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Talmadge reflect credit upon himself, the 31st Fighter Wing, and the United States Air Force.