BANGOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maine (Feb. 25, 2019)

BANGOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maine (Feb. 25, 2019) –The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded to distinguished individuals who, while serving as a senior or joint military staff, have performed either an exceedingly heroic act, exceptional achievement or commendable service that has not been recognized by a higher award.
On January 5th, 2019 the 101st Air Refueling Wing was proud to award this medal to recipient Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair, a Broadcast Journalist here at the 101st. Sinclair earned this award during his recent deployment to the Horn of Africa where he served as a Combat Broadcast Correspondent.
During his time in Africa Sinclair traveled throughout the Horn, documenting various operations throughout the region and working with sister branches from the U.S. and foreign militaries. He demonstrated team leadership by coordinating and implementing weekly, hour-long sessions, providing training to other joint public affairs specialists within Horn of Africa Public Affairs, Camp Public Affairs, and Combat Camera. This training helped ensure the broadest and most complete telling of the Horn of Africa story and enabled junior enlisted, senior enlisted, and officers to branch outside their comfort zone.
Vice Wing Commander of the 101st, Col. Matthew A. Bourassa, presented the award to our outstanding public affairs member. Bourassa believes that Sinclair not only deserves this award, but has also done an outstanding job in representing the 101st while overseas.
“His sole-participation out there in the arena of battle reflected greatly upon himself, but more importantly it shows the excellence of the unit and the brand that is the MAINEiacs,” said Bourassa. “He showed how our people can reflect such great credit upon themselves and the unit even just by their own single contribution.”
Bourassa goes on to express how he believes that Sinclair’s award and his representation of the the 101st is something that the younger Airmen on base can take with them going forward as motivation.
“We never go out into the battlefield chasing awards,” Bourassa said. “We sign up to help people, serve our country, and represent the 101st as best we can. Sgt. Sinclair went out to Africa and performed up to a higher level and was recognized for it. I would advise younger Airmen to do their best, learn from their mentors and represent the MAINEiacs and events like these awards will just come naturally.
“I give the hardiest of congratulations to Sgt. Sinclair, being away for 6 months from home, family and friends is no small task,” said Bourassa. “For him to go out there and try his hardest and do his very best made me feel a great sense of accomplishment as a representative of the wing to present to him that award.”
(Photo and Story by U.S. Air Force Airman Erick Green)