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AEDC Team member is AFMC nominee for 2019 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award

  • Published
  • By Deidre Moon
  • AEDC/PA

A member of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex team is the Air Force Materiel Command nominee for the 2019 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award.

Senior Master Sgt. Jason Harlan, a Munitions Flight Chief and Munitions Accountable Systems Officer, or MASO, at Arnold Air Force Base, stated he is honored to be considered and to represent AEDC at the Air Force level.

“This is a once in a career – if at all – situation, and I am truly humbled by the Command’s nomination,” he said. “I would like to give a special note of thanks to my coworkers, supervisors and the greater AEDC family for all of their support.

In an email to the workforce, AEDC Commander Col. Jeffrey Geraghty said, “To be nominated for an annual award at this level is an incredible distinction. Congratulations, Jason, and to the men and women whose contributions helped propel him to the nomination.”

“This past year has been a very trying time for me personally, and I can say that the AEDC family, from the top down, are some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of serving with. But, fundamentally, I credit God, as well as the sacrifice and faithful support of my family. This award (nomination) is as much theirs as it is mine. I am truly blessed to have them and to be a part of the AEDC team.”

In the nomination packet for the award, Harlan is recognized for many accomplishments here at Arnold and during his most recent deployment. At Arnold, he has overseen munitions and high explosives for several test projects.

While deployed, Harlan coordinated the inspection and transportation of 27 captured enemy munitions or unexploded ordnances for Defense Intelligence Agency exploitation, which resulted in the identification of three proxy-nations active in the combat zone. He also headed a $335 million weapons contract between the DOD and the United Kingdom and led the first-ever combat Ammunition Audit Team on missions throughout Iraq and Syria. Overall, the munitions he managed, and the bombs and missiles he and his team built, were responsible for the destruction of over 290 High Value Targets and an estimated 2,000 enemies killed in action.

Additionally, after finishing two education programs sponsored by the University of Notre Dame on Islamic History and Culture, he was hand-selected as a representative to regional Sheikhs, further solidifying coalition bonds.

James Myers, Asset Management Branch chief at Arnold, commends Harlan’s achievements and stated that Harlan has made quite an impact even in his short time at Arnold.

“Senior Master Sgt. Harlan arrived at Arnold Air Force Base in April 2019 as the MASO replacement,” Myers said. “It didn’t take long to acknowledge the professionalism and experience that he brings to the position. Reviewing his performance while on deployment, I was excited to nominate him for this prestigious award. In addition to performing duties as the MASO, he also serves as the Wing Staff Superintendent.”