WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- When two F/A-18 Hornets encountered engine trouble and had to land at an air patch at Ali Al Salem, Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 25-26, Tech. Sgt. Dale Wilson, 509th Operations Support Squadron, currently deployed to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing OSS, spent 36 hours in supporting the aircraft pilots and three Navy maintenance repair teams by ensuring they had meals, morale calls and billeting.

Although Sergeant Wilson, who works as the airfield manager at Whiteman, said it was all in a day's work - the Navy MRT praised his hospitality and tireless efforts by recommending the Navy Achievement Medal to their chain of command. The medal was approved and presented to Sergeant Wilson Aug. 31 during a wing stand-up meeting.

"Honestly, I feel that I didn't do anything different that any other airfield management person wouldn't do," Sergeant Wilson said. "It's our business to help folks when they are in need.

"When my name was called at the wing staff meeting, I was very surprised. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time," he said.

Aircraft are diverted to the air patch from a nearby aircraft carrier in the gulf, and when the first plane landed for an engine shutdown, Sergeant Wilson said he met the jet.

While waiting for an MRT, he met and discussed fix-options with transient alert and with the pilot. He proactively arranged meals and setup billeting for both the team and pilot.

"Once the jet was fixed, it went back to the carrier," Sergeant Wilson said. "But the crew was left on base for the night, so I took them to the dining facility and got them fed.

"I also took them to the morale building for a couple of hours so they could all call home," the 18-year Air Force veteran added. "Calling home is hard to do on the ship, and they all loved the time to talk to their families."

However, when he went to the Airman's Attic to get some toiletries, there weren't any towels, and the base exchange was already closed, he said.

Nevertheless, he would not be denied in his quest to make the team's stay as comfortable as possible.

"I went and got towels from the hospital and took the team to their tent," he said. "But as we got to the tent, another plane was diverted in, so I took the MRT back to the flightline."

When the second jet arrived, Sergeant Wilson took the pilot to the dining facility for dinner.

However, after troubleshooting, the MRT determined the problem would require a second MRT the next day. Thus, Sergeant Wilson repeated the same routine he would perform the next 36 hours:

"I took them back to the tent, and ran the pilot around to the same areas I'd taken the last pilot, where he got to talk to his family for the first time in almost a month," he said.

Although Sergeant Wilson was recognized for what he did during a day-and-a-half, his leaders on all fronts have already taken notice of his work ethic long before the Navy Achievement Medal was awarded.

"Sergeant Wilson exemplifies today's NCO corps," said Lt. Col. Brian Copello, 509th OSS commander. "He never stops until the mission is complete to the highest standards. At home or abroad, he takes the initiative, leads and is always 'Ready to Fight!'"

The same sentiment was reiterated from his deployed commander.

"Sergeant Wilson has gone far and above the call to ensure success not only of our wing mission, but also to ensure the Navy crews are repaired and get back into the fight just as fast as possible," said Col. Robert Swisher, 386th AEW commander. "His 'I Am a Warrior' spirit and his 'I Will Not Fail' attitude come straight from the Airman's Creed by which he lives. He is a superb Warrior."

In the 386th AEW's demanding environment, the airfield manager's position is commonly handled by senior NCO's; however Sergeant Wilson far exceeded his superiors' expectations, said Lt. Col. Craig Williams, 386th EOSS operations officer.

"Each and every divert in here, or anywhere, is a huge event for the boat's leadership," Colonel Williams added. "Since Sergeant Wilson stepped foot here, he has been simply amazing."

When the second MRT arrived and began working on the jet the next morning, Sergeant Wilson supported the MRT throughout the day with water, Gatorade and lunch.

Once the second aircraft was finally ready to depart, it developed an engine problem and was returned to the parking area.

After the MRT troubleshot the engine problem, it was determined they did not have the parts to fix it and scheduled a third team to complete repairs the next morning.

After nothing more could be accomplished at the aircraft, Sergeant Wilson rose to the occasion once again for the third team.

At this point, the first sergeant told Sergeant Wilson to go to his tent for rest after being up 36 consecutive hours.

Thanks in large part to his efforts, the rest of the base operations team was allowed to continue supporting the transient and 386th Expeditionary Operations Group combat mission uninterrupted.

Sergeant Wilson explained what inspired him to keep going during his achievement, and wanted to make it clear he was not alone.

"I remember what it was like to land at an austere location the first time, and the first thing you think when you get off the plane is, 'Now what?'" Sergeant Wilson said. "I took the vow then I would do my best to help out anyone that makes an unscheduled stop where ever I am at.

"One thing though - this was very much a team effort," he added. "Every agency I took the crews to was more than helpful, and even took extra steps to accommodate them. Every need was taken in consideration and taken care of. I owe the whole 'Rock' team a 'Thank You.'"

Sergeant Wilson has been stationed at Whiteman more than two years with his wife, Tracy, daughter, Jordan, 14, and son, Joshua, 12.