HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass – A civilian employee with the Acquisition Excellence and Program Execution Directorate here received the Department of the Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor Aug. 19 for actions following a multi-vehicle crash May 9.
Melissa Sayre, deputy chief of the Program Manager Workforce Management, Development and Renewal Branch, along with her son, helped provide lifesaving aid to crash victims before emergency responders arrived.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award, which serves as a powerful reminder of every single individual who demonstrates bravery, saves lives, averts disaster and protects our nation in both large and small ways,” said Sayre. “Every decision we make creates a profound ripple effect through our lives and the lives of others. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of an Air Force that embodies the relentless spirit of service, courage and shared responsibility.”
Stephen Demers, senior site functional for the directorate’s Hanscom AFB operating location, presented Sayre with the award during an Acquisition Excellence and Program Execution Directorate all-hands meeting.
“In my 40 years of service I have not seen a civilian get an award for valor,” said Demers. “We’ve got a great team here.”
According to the award citation, signed by Dennis D’Angelo, executive director of AFLCMC, Sayre provided lifesaving assistance after the crash. She navigated through a shattered rear window to reach a victim, assessed the deteriorating situation and warned the driver of an imminent fire hazard.
Sayre then helped extricate the victims from the deployed airbags and wreckage. She also coordinated with emergency dispatchers, relayed critical instructions to the victims and helped maintain a calm environment until authorities arrived.
Once first responders reached the scene, Sayre provided eyewitness information that helped expedite rescue operations. She and her son also remained at the crash site to secure and return victims’ personal belongings scattered across the area.
The Acquisition Excellence and Program Execution Directorate’s Hanscom AFB operating location serves as an enabling organization for program managers and acquisition professionals, according to officials.
Its Hanscom AFB Workforce Management, Development and Renewal Branch develops and enables program managers across the installation.
The Acquisition Center of Excellence and Center Test Authority teams advise and assist program offices with acquisition strategy development, source-selection options, training and execution, risk management training, test workforce management and test and evaluation strategy development, planning and execution.