Pharmacy technician’s attention to detail earns award during deployment to Iraq

Published Feb. 3, 2011
By Senior Airman Tong Duong
332nd Air ExpeditionaryWing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Whether sorting out medication for a splitting headache or antibiotics for battlefield injuries, filling the correct prescriptions can literally save lives.

Staff Sgt. Davitric Jackson, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group pharmacy technician, singlehandedly filled 1,417 prescriptions and provided 63 medications for 20 short-notice medically-evacuated patients, which enabled 100 percent survivability. His efforts earned him the Tuskegee Airman of the Week award for Jan. 9 - 15, 2011.

"Very detailed work with a lot of responsibility for a young noncommissioned officer to shoulder, not only in terms of accuracy in prescription, but inventory as well.You have to get it perfect," said Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

Sergeant Jackson, who deployed from Keesler's 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron, was an A-10 Warthog maintainer and knows the importance of doing the best job possible. He secures more than 700 line-item medicines worth $34,000 each day.

In the Air Force, when weapons systems are mentioned, most people will think of airplanes, but the general wants them to think of people.

"Airmen are the chassis of every weapons system that we field in the United States Air Force, and Sergeant Jackson takes care of that chassis for us," General Neubauer said.

The general not only lauded the sergeant on the great job he does at work, but also on his personal time. Sergeant Jackson, an Albany, Ga., native, arrived in December and got involved in the Joint 5/6 council, volunteered at the USO, Red Cross and Honor Guard because, 'It feels good to help others.'

"He's a guy who's working on the body, mind and spirit of not just himself, but more importantly, the lives he touches either directly with his work at the pharmacy or through volunteering," the general said. "I think that speaks volumes as to where his future lies hereon as far as providing leadership."