MDOS Airman earns Sijan nomination Published Sept. 11, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie 460th Space Wing Public Affairs BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Tech. Sgt. Ryan Harding, 460th Medical Operations Squadron Primary Care Flight NCO in charge, was recently selected as the 14th Air Force Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award nominee to Air Force Space Command. "He is the true embodiment of the warrior Airman," said Lt. Col. James Jablonski, 460th MDOS commander. "He not only displays strong leadership qualities in both his work and personal lives, but he leads by being an example to all other Airman around him." In the past year, Sergeant Harding participated in U.S. and NATO humanitarian operations, supplying food, medicine and school supplies to 2,500 Afghans. While deployed, he also personally saved lives by treating five Afghani pediatric burn victims. Sergeant Harding is also involved here at Buckley. He volunteers with the Buckley Airman Against Drunk Driving, coordinated medical support for the Buckley Family Appreciation Day and helped set up a Kids Armed Forces Day Fun Run. "During his deployment to Afghanistan he provided combat medical support to joint service personnel in forward locations and earned the respect and admiration of the members of the units he was assigned to," Colonel Jablonski added. "This combination of patriotism, leadership, and exemplary performance make him an ideal Lance P. Sijan award candidate."