HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An Air Force Special Operation Command NCO will receive the Air Force's 2012 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced April 27.
Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Timpany, with the 16th Special Operations Squadron, will accept his award during ceremonies June 3 to 8 at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Denver, Colo.
The award was very unexpected, said the 17-year Air Force veteran, who was "really surprised" by his win.
The SAIGE Meritorious Service Award honors male and female military members and Department of Defense civilian employees who support the DoD global conflict and humanitarian missions, said Staff Sgt. Leland T. Moseley, of the AFPC special trophies and awards section.
Timpany displayed excellence in combat when he halted a fire mission on five local farmers who had been misidentified as insurgents, directly preventing civilian casualties and avoiding a tactical mistake with strategic implications, according to reports. As a leader in the sensor operator community, he identified a critical manning shortfall and presented a solution to senior headquarters staff, protecting unit mission capability. He also helped coordinate multiple training sorties focused on teaching crew members to operate a new, more complex sensor system.
Timpany works as an AC-130 senor operator.
The greatest part of his job is interacting with the ground special operation forces and knowing that everyone who starts a mission finishes it., the Eureka, Calif. native said.
Additionally, an Air Force civilian was named a recipient for the SAIGE award. Gayle C. Blue-Keyes, with the U.S. Air Force Academy, will be honored for leadership and expertise that shaped security policies and fostered an inclusive work environment.
For more information, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.