Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
link U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Shelby Kay-Fantozzi
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dimitry Cripps, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron aeromedical service technician, was recently recognized as a Diamond Sharp Award winner for the month of December and was highlighted for his hard work and achievements.
Editor’s note: This feature is the forty-second in a series of Air Commando spotlights at Cannon. The airmen being highlighted are recent Diamond Sharp Award winners. Diamond Sharp is a monthly program where Airmen are recognized by wing leadership and first sergeants for their hard work and achievements.
For Senior Airman Dimitry Cripps, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron aeromedical service technician, responding to emergencies on Cannon Air Force Base and keeping Cannon’s Air Commandos fit to fight are all part of the job.
“In the Ambulance Services Flight, our job is to respond to any type of medical trauma or big incident on Cannon and on Melrose Air Force Range,” Cripps said. “We’re jacks-of-all-trades. If we’re not responding to emergencies, we’re tasked out with other jobs in the clinic; and whenever we’re not helping other sections, we’re training.”
As a certified instructor in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Cripps frequently aids other troops in keeping licenses up to date, allowing them to continue to provide care at Cannon’s Clinic.
“I’m a people’s person,” said Cripps. “I like to talk and teach. We have troops coming in all the time and I love the chance to interact with them.”
The Kalamazoo, Mich., native was named Diamond Sharp in December for exceeding standards on the job and his involvement in the community.
In spite of his record of service in supporting 2,500 airfield hours and serving the in role of lead medic on more than 60 emergencies, Cripps was surprised to receive recognition for his actions.
“I’m here to do my job,” he said. “I don’t expect an award for saving someone’s life because that’s my duty.”
Beyond his dedication to his unit, Cripps also serves Cannon by volunteering on base for fitness, fundraising and public health causes, and volunteering off-base for emergency medical services, highway cleanup, and serving those in need.
Airmen striving for success should be sure to get their names out, Cripps said. “I don’t just sit in my office,” he said. “I make sure to get out and talk with my leadership and fellow airmen.”