HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – A noncommissioned officer from the 66th Medical Squadron was recently named a winner of a 2020 Air Force Materiel Command Medical Service Award.
Tech. Sgt. Lloydon Balili, 66 MDS NCO in charge of optometry, was dubbed the AFMC Ophthalmic NCO of the Year.
“I’m so grateful for all the effort that went into my nomination,” said Balili. “It’s a real honor to win.”
Balili was nominated for his profound impact to total force missions across the state.
He recently filled manning gaps as the sole optometrist for the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing and supported soldiers’ individual medical readiness at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.
At Hanscom, Balili completely restructured the operational optometry support to the community, cutting spectacle delivery time by a full week.
Senior leaders lauded Balili’s win as a major feat during a highly competitive year due to challenges brought on by COVID-19.
“Sergeant Balili went above and beyond during a time our community needed stellar medical professionals more than ever,” said Col. Mark Oordt, 66 MDS commander. “He continues to set the example for our Airmen and we’re proud to have him on our team.”
Another member of the 66th Air Base Group earned an AFMC title; Roderick Berry, a Hanscom Public Affairs specialist, received the award for outstanding communication in the civilian category one.
Since March, Berry has supported numerous video messaging efforts to maximize communication from senior leaders to the base community and promote physical distancing, while enabling the mission to continue.
Officials from the Hanscom Public Affairs office said Berry’s win is well deserved.
“Over the past year, Rick’s outstanding production of Facebook Live broadcasts and Zoom productions have helped make the transition from operating with a near-100-percent on-site workforce to a largely remote workforce seamless,” said Chuck Paone, Hanscom Public Affairs director.
The 66th Air Base Group’s Civil Engineering Squadron also picked up MAJCOM-level awards recently.
Both members will now compete at the Air Force level.