AFMAO deployers are tops in reserve command

  • Published
  • By Ed Drohan
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center Public Affairs
Two services specialists deployed here from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., were recently named best in the Air Force Reserve.

Senior Master Sgt. Mary Mullen is the Services Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Senior Airman Nicole Pennington is the Services Airman of the Year for Air Force Reserve Command. Both are deployed from the 514th Force Support Squadron to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Sergeant Mullen was cited both for her work as Port Mortuary superintendent during her current deployment and for her home station accomplishments.

As part of the AFMAO team, Sergeant Mullen was responsible for preparing the facility and personnel for several high-visibility missions, including the visit of President Barack Obama and the arrival of fallen service members from the Fort Hood shooting incident. She oversaw operations for 13 separate mortuary stations, ensuring all of the fallen were prepared and returned to their family members as quickly as possible, Captain William Chaikowsky said in the nomination package. The captain is also deployed to AFMAO and is Sergeant Mullen and Airman Pennington's home station commander.

As part of the AFMAO Resiliency Team, Sergeant Mullen planned and facilitated a variety of activities designed to help maintain the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of both deployed and permanent party personnel. These activities were integral in reducing the stress inherent in the accomplishing the AFMAO mission, the captain said.

At McGuire, Sergeant Mullen revamped the 514th Services Flight training program and helped improve the unit's career development course pass rate by 40 percent, and was instrumental in the 514th's successful conversion from services and mission support squadrons to a combined force support squadron. The 514th FSS was one of only six test units in AFRC.

Sergeant Mullen, a veteran of more than 31 years in the Air Force Reserve, said she surprised at being named best in the command.

"It's humbling to say the least," Sergeant Mullen said. "I have been fortunate through most of my career. The team of people I've worked with and for have been skilled and focused. They have helped put me in a position to be recognized. This award is a real tribute to them as well as to me. My sincere gratitude to them all. I love being in the Air Force Reserve."

Airman Pennington was hand-picked from among 18 applicants to work as a command, control and communications technician at AFMAO. In that position, she was instrumental in making preparations for the return of dozens of fallen warriors from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, as well as the Fort Hood shooting victims, Captain Chaikowsky said.

Airman Pennington was also deployed to Osan Air Base, Korea, earlier this year where she worked in the base dining facility. She was praised for her assistance during the 51st Services Squadron's operational readiness inspection, assistance that her deployed commander said helped the unit receive an "excellent" rating.

While at her home station, Airman Pennington instructed and mentored six fellow unit members in dining hall operations and coordinated unit fitness events as the 514th Services Flight alternate fitness program leader. A member of the 514th for almost six years, she is currently enrolled at Mercy College and hopes to receive her bachelor's degree in English in the near future.

The award came as a surprise to Airman Pennington, too.

"I feel excited, honored, and privileged to win an award out of a numerous amount of other Airmen," Airman Pennington said.

According to Captain Chaikowsky, both awards are well deserved.
"They both work very hard in support of any mission or tasking they are selected for and always give 110 percent," the captain explained. "I was very pleased, excited and proud, but not surprised."

Col. Bob Edmondson, AFMAO commander, agreed.

"Both Sergeant Mullen and Airman Pennington are true professionals whose service at AFMAO ensured our nation's fallen received the dignity, honor and respect they are due," Colonel Edmondson said. "I'm very proud to serve with these Airmen and congratulate them both on this well-deserved recognition."