AETC honors Hesselrode for exemplary leadership skills Published Feb. 24, 2010 81st Medical Group KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Lt. Col. Kerry Hesselrode, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron, is the winner of the 2010 National Image, Incor-porated Meritorious Service Award. The honor was announced Feb. 16 by Maj. Gen. Anthony Przybyslawski, Air Education and Training Command vice commander. The award honors military members and Department of Defense civilians who supported the DOD mission, global contingencies or whose attributes best epitomized the qualities and core values of their respective military service or agency. Colonel Hesselrode is currently deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. General Przybyslawski said Colonel Hesselrode's exemplary performance in the field of critical care nursing has contributed immeasurably to the successes and survival of patients both down range and within the continental United States, in state-of-the-art hospitals and in the air. "He demonstrates excellence with his dynamic ability to lead critical care aeromedical transport team missions under the most austere conditions," the general said. "During one of 13 missions, he showed incredible leadership skills during an in-flight emergency. The portable aircraft oxygen that supported three patients on mechanical ventilation suddenly failed, compromising the patients' respiratory systems. His outstanding ability to troubleshoot was called into action and he led his team to resolve this life-threatening event." "Colonel Hesselrode's actions provide a clear example of qualities that distinguish him as a true leader, the best of the best," General Przybyslawski concluded. "His leadership excellence meant the difference between life and death for three American heroes. We congratulate Colonel Hesselrode for his selfless dedication and wish him the best of luck at the Air Force level competition."