PRP captain humbly accepts Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Capt. Jamie Barnes, 341st Medical Operations Squadron Competent Medical Authority and officer in charge, Medical Personal Reliability Program Element, won the 2007 Jesse Edwards U.S. Air Force Company Grade Officer of the Year award. 

Captain Barnes' day-to-day duties include reviewing medical records for suitability to perform PRP duties and to inform commanders of an individual's medical limitations to PRP duties. He also checks other medical records and administrative functions his office performs. Another one of Captain Barnes' duties includes patient care; evaluating, diagnosing and treating a variety of medical complaints. 

"This award was won thanks to the help of my team - none of the accomplishments are truly all mine," Captain Barnes said. "Without a team effort, no individual can succeed. Each accomplishment builds from the previous and none is greater than the whole; each are necessary." 

In addition to expertly performing his daily duties, many of his achievements came during his 365-day deployment to Afghanistan. 

During his time overseas, Captain Barnes saved multiple lives, treating an Afghan soldier with a gunshot wound, and two severely burned Afghan children and saving their lives. He also used his medical knowledge and skills to save $17,500 that would have otherwise been used for medical evacuation flights. 

Captain Barnes logged more than 350 hours on convoys, during high-risk, high-profile missions and provided the best care in the face of danger, and supervised medical coverage for more than 250 convoy missions, providing immediate, life-saving care. He also orchestrated four medical assistance visits in the most volatile Afghan districts, which resulted in treating more than 1,700 people. 

Along with treating one attempted suicide, Captain Barnes conducted 22 Traumatic Stress Response sessions for 80 personnel, teaching them how to cope with wartime trauma. 

Back on the home front, Captain Barnes made significant strides as well. 

He overhauled the PRP clinic and ensured all processes were well-integrated, getting the best rating in four years by the Nuclear Surety Inspection team Inspector General. Captain Barnes certified more than 170 PRP records and had 3,092 PRP patient encounters. 

Captain Barnes credits God and his co-workers with his success. 

"Everything in the award package reflects the accomplishments of a team of outstanding folks I worked with while I was deployed and at home station," he said. "I also thank God that He has given me the ability to do something that can impact people in a positive way." 

And his teammates appreciate him equally. 

"It is always an honor to work with a team of competent, energetic and innovative professionals, and I enjoy seeing the results of such efforts translated into public recognition," said Lt. Col. Martha Johnston, 341st MDOS commander. "It validates we have the best people in the Air Force. Captain Barnes takes charge, organizes tasks and moves everything along to get the job done. More importantly, his knowledge and expertise were critical during his deployment, logging hours on dangerous convoys, leading provincial reconstruction, responding to suicide bomber and IED attacks, and mentoring Afghanistan surgeons and physicians on trauma injuries." 

As far as what contributed most directly to him winning, Captain Barnes, yet again, takes a humble approach. 

"Without a supervisor willing to recognize people for what they do, there would be no winner," he said. "Therefore, the greatest contribution to my award, I feel, was for my supervisor to take the effort to submit the package. Many people in today's Air Force accomplish the same, if not greater, things but are never recognized in this way. I am thankful for what God has done for me and how He has surrounded me with great people. This award is truly a team effort and it is important for me to let them know how I feel." 

His commander said Captain Barnes always adapts well to new work situations with energy, drive and initiative. 

"Captain Barnes develops solutions to challenging problems and makes the organization perform better today than ever before," Colonel Johnston said. "He is key in making the PRP job very successful at Malmstrom. His open communication, sound judgment and decision making has earned him respect across the wing. That's why I nominated him."