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Coining Pope’s Finest:Each week the 43rd Airlift Wing highlights an outstanding Airman

  • Published
  • 43rd Airlift Wing
POPE AIR FORCE BASE N.C. --  Col. Craig Berlette, 43rd Airlift Wing Vice Commander, presented a Commander's Coin on behalf of Col. James Johnson, 43rd AW Commander, to Staff Sgt. Kenneth Key, 43rd Medical Support Squadron, Tuesday for his exceptional performance beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Key is the NCO-in-Charge of the Medical Readiness Flight and works in the Readiness Group Control Center. 

Sergeant Key has made an impact since moving into the Medical Readiness Flight early this year. His section has a variety of moving parts and inspection items. Sergeant Key hit the ground running when he started his tour at Pope in December of 2003.
Upon arrival in the section, Sergeant Key performed an inventory to determine where his focus should be. He and his team identified 374 training items in need of updates and developed spreadsheets to track their progress. They sent these spreadsheets to each of the squadrons on a bi-monthly basis to bring the 43rd Medical Group back to wing standards. 

Currently, Sergeant Key is working with the other members of his section to inventory all mobility folders, ensuring that they meet Air Force standards. Once the team completes the review and updates of more than 200 folders, they will streamline the way medical personnel process in and out of the base. In the midst of all this improvement, Sergeant Key also managed the team that prepared and deployed 14 personnel in two months.
Sergeant Key and his wife, Nisa, have been married for 8 years and have one daughter, LeAnna. His hobbies include playing basketball, football and baseball. He also enjoys movies, books and spending time with his family and friends. While at Pope, he has earned his two-year Community College of the Air Force degree, as well as his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. His career goal is to become a Medical Service Corps officer - his package will meet the selection board in October.