Lajes civilian earns 2013 DoD Disability Award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  A U.S. civilian from the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron was recently recognized by the U.S. Air Force as a recipient of the 2013 Department of Defense Disability Award for his outstanding accomplishments.

John Henry, 65th CES operations flight deputy commander, has led a diverse workforce composed of 254 American and Portuguese personnel entrusted with the repair and maintenance of 829 facilities valued at $2.3 billion. His managerial skills has led his flight to complete more than 8,000 jobs with a 96 percent on-time rating, the second best in U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

According to his nomination package, Henry also established a recurring maintenance program which achieved an impressive 100 percent completion rate, topping the Air Force rankings.

"I love my job; I find it very rewarding," said the Lake Station, Ind., native. "We have a great team. None of us do this by ourselves. Here, you really feel like you're part of the team, and you know you're important because the mission would fail without us. We maintain the entire base and the entire infrastructure that goes with it, to include water, electricity, the flightline, base housing, the heating and air conditioning systems and the fuel line systems. We touch everything on this base."

Henry said he was very much surprised to have received 2013 DoD Disability Award. The award honors individual civilian employees and military members with disabilities who support the DoD mission, overseas contingency operations, or whose activities best demonstrate the core values of their respective military service or agency.

"I feel pretty humbled by this," he said. "I have a disability, which I do not like to discuss, but I'm humbled because I think there are a whole lot of disabled people out there who have a much more difficult time than I do with doing their jobs because of their disabilities. I feel I am lucky to be as healthy as I am and not have as many obstacles as a lot of other people who probably deserve this award a lot more than me."

Henry retired from the Air Force while stationed at Lajes Field in 2002 as a senior master sergeant. Several months later, he applied and was hired for a civilian position in the 65th CES. Since the beginning of his Air Force enlistment, Henry has worked in civil engineer operations for a total of 33 years. Ten of those he served as the 65th CES operations flight deputy commander.

Henry said he was submitted for this award by the previous 65th CES operations flight commander. However, his current 65th CES operations flight commander, Maj. Timothy Barnard, said he's observed how passionate Henry remains toward his job even though it's been years since he's worn his senior master sergeant stripes.

"You still see the same drive and tenacity you'd expect from a senior NCO; it's in his blood," said Barnard. "He's always looking out for our people and the mission."

Barnard said Henry has never let a disability keep him from ensuring the power stays on, the water flows, the facilities are maintained, the airfield is operational, or the communication sites stay operational.

"If you didn't know him personally, you really wouldn't be able to pick up on the disability," said Barnard. "I'm glad that the Air Force recognized that Mr. Henry is still serving our Air Force despite challenges. He is a proud American and I'm glad I've had a chance to serve with him."