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Green Knights pilot receives one of military’s highest awards

24 Jan 2007 | Lance Cpl. George J. Papastrat Marine Corps Air Station Miramar-EMS

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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- A fighter pilot from Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing received a Bronze Star with the combat “V” device Jan. 24 in Hanger 1.

Maj. Neal E. Rickner, pilot, VMFA (AW)-121 received the award for his actions while deployed to Iraq with 3rd Bn., 7th Marine Regiment as a forward air controller from January-May 2003.
“It is humbling to be awarded the bronze star,” said Rickner. “It was a surprise.”

Rickner’s bronze star originated from his contributions to multiple combat missions involving the protection of the Al Anabar Provincial Government Center in Ramadi.

“Not only did he do a good job employing combat aviation close air support,” said Maj. Byron D. Sullivan, operations officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, MAG-11, 3rd MAW. “He also planned out how to use the assets of the Marine aviation.”

Rickner identified the most effective ways to thwart the enemy with aviation delivered ordnance and coordinated delivery of this ordnance while under fire. His efforts also included identifying IEDs and coordinating air support during fire fights.

Rickner appeared speechless when he was called out at the squadron’s routine afternoon formation. His family stood proudly behind the group of Marines as the warrant was read.

“It’s a great experience (presenting the award),” said the commanding officer of the Green Knights, Lt. Col. Joseph Craft. “The defining attribute of his character is selflessness.”

“I did what I could to protect Marines,” said the bronze star recipient. “I am looking forward to deploying with the Green Knights and continuing to bring the fight to the enemy.”

POLICY

The most important starting point for an EMS* is the development of an environmental policy. ISO14001 requires local governments to implement their own environmental policy. The environmental policy acts as a basis for the environmental management system.

PLANNING

ISO14001 requires that an environmental management system is planned properly. It requires the organization to consider the following carefully: Environmental Aspects; Legal and Other Aspects; Objectives and Targets; and an Environmental Management Program.

IMPLEMENTATION

The two requirements for implementation of an EMS is to define, document, and communicate roles, responsibilities and authorities, and to allocate the resources needed to implement and control the EMS.

CHECKING

The key requirement in this EMS step is to regularly monitor and measure key characteristics of activities and operations that could have a significant impact on the environment. Changes to EMS procedures may become necessary in order to deal with nonconformances with the EMS, with mitigating environmental impacts, or corrective and preventive action.

REVIEW

The management review process ensure that information is collected to enable management to carry out proper review. Top management review the need for changes to policy, objectives and targets, and ensure that a commitment to continual improvement is being demonstrated.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar-EMS