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BANGOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maine (March 3, 2019) – The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism and meritorious service. For those like Master Sgt. Erin Pontbriand, an Equal Opportunities Specialist at the 101st Air Refueling Wing, who are awarded the medal more than once, they will receive an oak leaf cluster on the ribbon to signify that this is not the recipient’s first time being awarded such a high honor amongst the Air Force.
For Pontbriand, this will be her third time being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. This was awarded to her for actions she took while deployed overseas. Pontbriand’s job was to make the other Airmen that were deployed aware that they had outlets to help them with sexual assault, unlawful discrimination, and any other stressors that could be happening while working in this completely new environment overseas.
“The biggest part is for them to know who you are,” said Pontbriand. “If they don’t know their resources then they can’t talk to anyone about stuff that’s going on. Letting them know who I am, where I’m located and how I can support them will help give me a sort of snapshot for the commander to let them know how it’s going in their organization. Whether it’s going really well or not good at all.”
While this was her job at the that she had while overseas, Pontbriand saw herself in a situation where she needed to step up in order to assist with the mission at hand, and that’s why she was awarded with the Commendation Medal. She answered the challenge put in front of her and she represented the 101st ARW extremely well.
Some of Pontbriand’s achievements while overseas include leading the Wing Commander’s Campaign for Dignity and Respect across several nations to thousands of other members, resulting in a reduction of Equal Opportunity cases from 19 to one in less than six months. Pontbriand also continually helped to improve the Equal Opportunity Program overseas by updating and developing processes enabling the office to remain a one person shop, returning manpower to support our warfighters.
“I wanted to be sure that other Airmen were content enough to be able to help get the mission done,” said Pontbriand. “I wanted them to come together as a team, and that was all about our deployed Airmen being connected.”
For Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Sousa, the National Guard Bureau Equal Opportunity Program Manager Pontbriand achievements are surely extraordinary, but not completely a surprise to him, because Sousa is also a traditional member at the 101st Air Refueling, where he serves as the Wings Maintenance Superintendent.
“She has always been a driven, outstanding Airman” said Sousa. “When I had an open opportunity for somebody to come onto this deployment, she stepped right up. She volunteered for the open spot with only a two-month notice.”
Sousa goes on to explain that Pontbriand’s success on this deployment was her constant hard work and the fact that progressively she was just compounding on success that she already had earlier on in her deployment.
“She really is a rockstar at the National Guard Bureau,” said Sousa. “She went out on a deployment where she realistically had no clue where she was going. She stepped up to the plate and really showed that she is an outstanding Airman.
“We’re so fortunate to have Pontbriand here, she really does a good job at representing not only herself, but how outstanding of an Airman that she is,” said Sousa. “We really do have a lot of them here. It’s really difficult for a Guardsman to just leave their lives behind to deploy overseas. She’s a patriot. She left her family to go overseas when she really didn’t have to, and for that my hat’s off to her. She’s my hero and I really appreciate her.”
It is with great pride that the 101st recognizes Pontbriand on her latest accomplishments and her representation of the MAINEiacs while overseas.
(Photo Story by U.S. Air Force Airman Erick Green)
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2019 13:43 |
| Photo ID: | 5146523 |
| VIRIN: | 190303-Z-XH653-0069 |
| Resolution: | 3548x2534 |
| Size: | 5.81 MB |
| Location: | BANGOR, MAINE, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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