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Eglin staff sergeant earns Sijan leadership award

  • Published
  • By Sachel Seabrook
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
Explosive ordnance technician Staff Sgt. Michael Pereira had a memorable 2010. He deployed, was honored with a Bronze Star, earned an Army Commendation medal and was featured on the Air Force Recruiting Service "Everyday Sci Fi" series.

Continuing the trend, 2011 brought another memorable moment when the staff sergeant who entered the Air Force almost eight years ago, was awarded the Lance P. Sijan award.

"I was shocked and very humbled," he said.

Sergeant Pereira, of the 96th Civil Engineering Squadron, led a three-person EOD team during Operation Opportunity Hold in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. While on the ground with combat engineers, he and his team supported 30 different platoons in one week. He aided in the recovery and destroying of 278 enemy munitions, denying the Taliban 227 pounds of explosives. He was also responsible for maintaining $3.5 million of specialized robotics equipment.

"He really deserves this," said Master Sgt. John Carroll, who nominated Sergeant Pereira." He served in a position that is typically reserved for technical sergeants as a staff sergeant. He is one of my main guys I know I can count on."

Lance P. Sijan, an Air Force captain and fighter pilot who died while a POW in Vietnam, is the name behind the leadership award that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, both personally and professionally. It has become one of the Air Force's most prestigious awards. The Sijan award annually recognizes four Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.

"He has definitely helped me grow as an Airman. He's taught me so much about how to be successful at my job," says Staff Sgt. Matthew Leatherman, one of the Airmen who served on the team Sergeant Pereira led.

After achieving such a great honor, the Union, N.J., native said he is focused on two more goals: deploying to Afghanistan in six months and growing his family.

"Prepare to become a father, do my job and make sure everyone I deploy with comes home safe," he said.