40 A/TQ • <strong>Airlift</strong>/<strong>Tanker</strong> Quarterly • Fall 2010
The <strong>Airlift</strong>/<strong>Tanker</strong> <strong>Association</strong> Specialized Mission Award is presented annuallyto an outstanding individual whose performance of duties in support of anaerial air mobility mission is exceptionally noteworthy during crises,contingencies, or humanitarian airlift. This award is presentedto career fields not covered by the Huyser Award categories.2010 A/TASpecialized Mission AwardTechnical Sergeant Brian K. LoekTechnical Sergeant Brian K. Loek is a MC-130P AirborneMission System Specialist/NCOIC Mobility currently assignedto the 67th Special Operations Squadron, 352nd SpecialOperantions Group, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. SergeantLoek’s first duty assignment was as an AirborneCommunications system Operator withthe 42nd Airborne Command and ControlSquadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from1998 through 2003. He was then assigned as aHC-130 Airborne Communications Specialist,71st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia,where he remained through 2006. He has beenin his current assignment since then.TSgt Loek, a combat proven airman whohas flown 163+ combat hours in OperationsIraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, hasbeen lauded for outstanding proficiencyin performing his assigned duties. He wasinstrumental in developing his squadron’sCV-22 tiltrotor air refueling training program,ensuring that 53 personnel were prepared,qualified and combat ready.TSgt Loek lead his Air Mobility Support Squadron on its firstCV-22 combat deployment which included 65 flight hours over11 sorties during which 101K pounds of fuel were passed. He washandpicked for the crew transporting the AFSOC commanderduring an Operation Iraqi Freedom aviation review. TSgt Loek’sparticipation and expertise played a major role in several othermissions of note, including: a humanitarian mission delivering24K pounds of aide to 6 Iraqi towns, helping to win the hearts andminds of residents in the war-torn area; the airlifting of 25 highvaluetargets for interrogation and detention, resulting in intelthat helped to thwart insurgent attacks; the infiltration of 2 Armyspecial operations AH-6 helicopters, which helped to ensure rapidand precise mission execution during a night raidleading to the capture of 3 enemy combantants,and, following an engine failure during an airrefueling mission, TSgt Loek coordinated rapidrecovery efforts, clearing airspace and expeditinglanding, which resulted in the safe recovery of theaircraft and 9 crew members, for which he earnedthe Team Mildenhall Flight Safety Award.TSgt Loek willing shares his managementexpertice and consistently displays a willingnessto accept responsiblity. He has guided hissquadron through many training challenges,overcoming simulator failure and personnelshortfalls due to deployment, to ensure that 33squadron members were mission ready; actingas a team builder, he organized and scheduledincentive flights for support personnel whichenhanced knowledge of the unit’s missions andcapabilies; TSgt Loek authored the 67th SOS MC-130P MissionCapabilities Briefing the Group’s Intro to SOF course.TSgt Loek’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal (3OLC), the Aerial Achievement Medal (8 OLC) and the Air ForceAchievement Medal.Technical Sergeant Brian Loek is a consummate, missionreadyaviator and is truly deserving of the 2010 A/TA SpecializedMission Award.“…any citizen should be willing to give allthat he has to give his countryin work or sacrifice in times of crises.”–Eleanor RooseveltThe winner of the 2010 Specialized Mission Award is an Airborne Mission System Specialist. Personnel holding this duy assignment perform aircrew dutieson numerous airborne platforms operating, maintaining, repairing and testing airborne communications, sensor, computer, and electronic systems. AirborneMission System Specialists perform preflight, inflight, and postflight duties; supervise and instruct personnel in operation, maintenance, repair, and testprocedures; and establish, supervise, and direct aircrew training.A/TQ • <strong>Airlift</strong>/<strong>Tanker</strong> Quarterly • Fall 201041
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