Edwards Airman earns Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  An Edwards officer was recently awarded the 2008 Air Force Medical Service Outstanding Industrial Hygienist or Environmental Engineer Specialist of the Year award.

Maj. Waikwong Kan, 95th Aerospace Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Flight chief, received his award for his performance throughout 2008.

"Even without winning the award I would still continue to work hard to do a good job," said Major Kan. "What I did during my deployment made a difference to the Airmen who are over in Iraq and their safety."

During his deployment, Major Kan inspected approximately 4.2 million bottles of water for contamination. 

After receiving reports of headaches, he inspected three bunkers and found a need for an increase of supplemental outdoor air, which fixed the problem.

"During deployment I took advantage of all my time," he said. "Both on and off duty, I was working at my job as well as toward self improvement initiatives."

He also dedicated 120 hours to learning Arabic and understanding the culture, and 60 hours of professional development courses. He also took part in 12 trash pick-up events while serving at a forward operating base in Iraq.

He characterized 80 well water samples and identified portability requirements; from that he established two base emergency water sources.

Major Kan collected various air samples from around the base where he used the data he collected to quantify the burn pit and oil refinery contaminant exposures and their effects on the air around the base. With this information, he created a guidance for the commander that outlined amounts of outdoor activity that should be done on poor air quality days. 

Major Kan said he enjoys the different aspects of his job and all the things it allows him to see.

Some of the different things he got to do was advise an Army reconnaissance team on handling of 55 gallons of acid spotted outside of the forward operating base, in the end all of the waste was disposed of properly.

He tested an unknown white powder found on base with a state-of-the-art instrument and was able to declare the area safe.

He also suggested an alternate means of treatment for water not intended for consumption and He  saved the Air Force $200,000 a year by creating a system that chlorinates groundwater for non-potable uses. 

"I love this job because of the variety, there are three different aspects to this job; industrial hygiene, environmental engineering and readiness,"said Major Kan. "All three of these aspects are designed to do one thing and that's protect people. If I can spend my time keeping people safe then it's a good use of my time."

What Major Kan said contributed to his success was the support of his team, commander and the Air Force.

Major Kan said he was thankful to Lt. Col. David Cohen, 95th AMDS commander, for spending the time to put him in for the award. He said Colonel Cohen knows how to bring out the best in everyone, taking time to mentor all Airmen in the squadron. He concluded by saying that under Colonel Cohen's leadership in the 95th AMDS is the best squadron he has seen in his career.

"I'm very honored to win, but I couldn't have done any of this without my team so I would like to thank them, Major Kan said. I also would like to say I appreciate the Air Force and the opportunities it has given me, I feel deploying gives me an opportunity to give back to the Air Force which that has given so much to me."