News>Pride of the Pack: Master Sgt. Ryan Kohler and Airman 1st Class Matthew Mayer
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Col. Douglas Nikolai, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander, presents Airman 1st Class Matthew Mayer, 8th Communications Squadron, with a Pride of the Pack award Aug. 2, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Sheila Johnston)
Col. Douglas Nikolai, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander, presents Master Sgt. Ryan Kohler, 8th Communications Squadron, with a Pride of the Pack award Aug. 2, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Sheila Johnston)
Duties: Section Chief, Wing Information Assurance Office
Hometown: Milford, Conn.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and traveling
Favorite Music: Rock, country
Follow on: Don't know yet
Last good movie you saw: Dark Knight Rises
Best thing you've done here: Teaching English to Korean kids at one of the elementary schools
Airman 1st Class Matthew Mayer
Unit: 8th Communications Squadron
Duties: Communications security accountant
Hometown: Warwick, R.I.
Hobbies: Computers, video games, debating and going to the beach
Favorite Music: Almost anything
Follow on: Kadena Air Base, Japan
Last good movie you saw: The Dark Knight Rises
Best thing you've done here: Met quite a few great people.
Reason for nomination: "MSgt Kohler and A1C Maher are responsible for making frequent courier trips to Osan AB to receive and dispatch COMSEC materials in support of the 8th Fighter Wing. During their return trip on July 26, 2012, their vehicle was struck by another vehicle, resulting in their vehicle rolling over and leading to COMSEC materials spilling over the highway. After the vehicle came to a complete stop on its roof, and even though shaken up with minor wounds, MSgt Kohler and A1C Maher's keen thinking ensured their first action was to secure the COMSEC materials strewn along the highway. Their quick and decisive actions ensured all COMSEC material was safeguarded, preventing a COMSEC incident from occurring, which could have potentially crippled Kunsan AB's ability to operate. They continued to maintain positive control of these items for two hours while receiving medical treatment, and throughout the duration of the incident, until an alternate courier could be dispatched to take custody of the material. We would also like to commend them on the proper wear of personal protective equipment. There is no doubt from the condition of the vehicle that wearing their seatbelts prevented them from being seriously injured or killed. MSgt Kohler and A1C Maher's actions before and after this horrific accident hold true to the core values we live by, which makes them my overwhelming choice for this week's Pride of the Pack," 1st Lt. Ira Feliciano, 8th CS.
