Distinguished aviator is 434th ARW Officer of the Year

Published Feb. 11, 2011
By Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Of all the officers stationed at Grissom, only one can be named 434th Air Refueling Wing Officer of the Year.

Capt. Daniel Keeney, 434th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of training, was honored with this award for 2010.

"It's a great honor," said Captain Keeney. "When I stop and think about my peers and all the other great officers that do an outstanding job, it's very humbling."

Captain Keeney's nomination packet is filled with accomplishments that met and exceeded the expectations of an officer. He's described as a proven leader, distinguished aviator, exceptionally skilled instructor and stand-out officer.

"He is among one of the most hard-working, motivated self-starters I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and he deserves this award," said Maj. Joseph Austin, 434th OSS director of training.

Captain Keeney's military career didn't begin in the Air Force. He had initially enlisted into the Minnesota Army National Guard for four years, working as an artillery specialist. Then, he had urge to fly and made the switch to the Air Force Reserve.

"I just always wanted to serve; I got the bug to fly," he said. "My grandfather had been in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and I grew up listening to his old war stories and admiring him."

And fallowing in his grandfather's footsteps in one of the reasons Captain Keeney said he joined the military.

His responsibilities on a day-to-day basis include hiring new pilots and boom operators and setting up their training.

He was hand-picked to lead the operation readiness inspection mission planning cell. During that time, he was in charge of planning all missions for the flyers and setting up operations.
According to Lt. Col. Todd Moody, 434th OSS commander, he was essential to the unit's overall success.

"We started getting ready for the ORI a year in advance," he said. "We took to flights out to Volk (Field Combat Readiness Training Center) on (operation readiness exercises) over a year out to make sure we were ready."

Captain Keeney is keen on self improvement. He achieved a perfect score on the new Air Force physical fitness test and completed the Air Command and Staff College correspondence program in civilian status.

"My family is my number one motivation," he said. "Number two is the great guys in the squadron and great leaders; when you have leaders that genuinely care about your well being, you want to put in the extra effort and do good work for them."

The 434th ARW is the largest is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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Public Affairs Staff