(Reprinted from the Plattsburgh Press Republican, Feb. 7, 2016)
SCOTIA — Plattsburgh resident Elizabeth Mahan has been named the New York Air National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.
The technical sergeant is a cardiopulmonary lab technician at Stratton Air National Guard Base and a member of the 109th Airlift Wing’s 109th Medical Group.
“This is a major accomplishment for Tech Sgt. Mahan,” Chief Master Sgt. Amy Giaquinto, the 109th Airlift Wing command chief, said in a press release. “Her personal character, devotion to duty and leadership performance has led her to be highlighted as the New York Air National Guard’s best of the best.”
Mahan is a respiratory therapist at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany.
At present, she is completing prerequisites at Hudson Valley Community College so she can apply for physician assistant school, the release said.
Her goal is to become an officer.
Mahan said being selected as NCO of the Year at both the wing level and state level has been a very humbling experience.
“I couldn’t believe it — it was definitely unexpected,” she said in the release.
“I feel like there are tons of people who are out here working hard and do just as much as me if not more.”
Mahan is the noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of the Critical Care Air Transport Team, one of six fully trained cardiopulmonary lab technicians qualified to fly on the medical flying team, the release said, “and assists in transporting and furthering the care of the most critically ill and injured patients in the world.”
“This spring, I did a CCAT deployment to Germany,” Mahan said. “It was invaluable.
“It was really rewarding because you’re bringing people home to their families, all while learning so much from the people you work with.”
“Tech Sgt. Mahan is a true leader and has a fierce work ethic,” Capt. Elizabeth McNamara, a member of the 109th Medical Group, said in the release.
“She is a valued member of our CCAT team. I enjoy working with her, and we’re proud to have her in our unit.”
Mahan and her husband, Kevin, have three children, Boone, Marian and Cardiff.
She is the daughter of Margaret and William Caldon, also of Plattsburgh.
Mahan will join the four other 109th Air Wing Airmen of the Year to be recognized at the annual Airman of the Year Dinner in April.
She will also compete in the 2015 Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year against airmen from across the country.
An article about Mahan also appeared in the Times Union.
Published: Mon, 08 Feb 2016 14:43:16 +0000 by d.gardner