Nellis senior officer wins 2010 Air Force Lance P. Sijan Award

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Laura Balch
  • Nellis Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The Air Force recently selected Lt. Col. Tony L. Millican, 98th Mission Support Group deputy commander, to be the senior officer recipient of the 2010 Air Force Lance P. Sijan Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership both here and during his latest deployment to Afghanistan.

"Words can't describe how humbling it is to be presented with an award named in honor of such a hero," Colonel Millican said. "Capt. Lance Sijan's life epitomized Air Force core values and his perseverance during the war in Vietnam makes him the example for all Airmen to follow."

As the deputy commander of the 98th MSG, Colonel Millican oversees 577 military personnel, civilians and contractors. He runs two squadrons and is charged with sustaining the 2.9-million-acre Nevada Test and Training Range. In the past year, he led the 98th Range Wing commander's effort to re-organize the wing in order to meet updated guidelines, and managed a $32 million program that directly supported more than 40,000 test and training sorties.

Also during his time at Nellis, Colonel Millican served as the chief of protocol for the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. He led his team to "Best in the Air Force" recognition and earned the George Washington Protocol Award.

"The fact that the Air Force chose a member of our Nellis/Creech/NTTR team as the recipient of both of these awards emphasizes how important our mission is to the Air Force and the nation," Colonel Millican said. "We deliver combat capability to the joint and combined warfighter that serves to make America and her allies more secure and I am so proud to be a part of that team."

From March to September 2009, Colonel Millican was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan. There, he served as unit commander for 1,200 American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines at four NATO sites. During his deployment, Colonel Millican commanded 80 high-threat convoys and acquired the first two operational ten-person Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, which continually save lives of deployed troops.

At one point during his deployment, Colonel Millican survived a 700 pound blast from a suicide vehicle-born improvised explosive device that exploded less than 50 yards away from his location. Immediately, and despite a head injury and hearing loss from the blast, Colonel Millican commanded post-attack operations by leading the dorm recovery team to account for more than 600 people in less than 90 minutes.

He roused the initial team's recovery, which included relocating more than 180 people from a destroyed dormitory, and kept his troops focused on their mission despite the $3 million worth of damage they had sustained. For his leadership during the deployment, Colonel Millican was awarded the Bronze Star by the International Security Assistance Force commander.

"Our troops performed marvelously during the aftermath of the Taliban SVBIED attack on our compound as well as throughout the high-threat period of time surrounding the Afghan presidential election," Colonel Millican explained. "The sacrifices of those we lost during that period -- American, Afghan and allies -- serve to strengthen our resolve. The best way we can honor their memory is to fight with even more dedication to assist the Afghan people in improving security."

It is because of these significant accomplishments, demonstrations of his distinct leadership abilities, and a multitude of other deeds which exemplify his concern for his troops' well-being and his dedication to the Air Force, that Colonel Millican has been selected for this prestigious award.

"I extend my sincere thanks to the troops I served with overseas as well as the Airmen, civilians and contractors who run America's crown jewel, the Nevada Test and Training Range, for giving me the honor of being their deputy commander, coach and fellow warrior," Colonel Millican said. "We are truly privileged here in the Nellis/Creech community to be blessed with awesome senior leadership who support us with recognition for hard work. I consider this award to be acknowledgement not only of what I have done as an individual, but also for what we have accomplished as a team."

This award is named in honor of Captain Lance P. Sijan, the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1967, Captain Sijan was shot down over Vietnam and was able to avoid capture for 45 days. After his initial capture, Captain Sijan escaped despite a compound fracture of the left leg, a skull fracture and a mangled right hand. Eventually he was recaptured and interrogated repeatedly, but he refused to give up any information except his name. Captain Sijan died after months of living in a Prisoner of War camp, but his spirit and determination inspired other prisoners and led a fellow POW to nominate him for the Medal of Honor. The Air Force gives the Lance P. Sijan award annually to personnel who exhibit the same high leadership standards that Captain Sijan epitomized in his life and death.

"I am still coming to terms with the magnitude of this award and I am so excited to meet the other recipients and learn their stories because, in the end, that is what life is all about: people," Colonel Millican stated. "When my children ask about Lance P. Sijan, my explanation to them will be that he was an incredible person and his legacy is one of honor... which cannot be bought at any price other than selfless personal sacrifice."

Colonel Millican will receive his award, along with the three other 2010 Air Force Lance P. Sijan Award recipients, in a ceremony held later this year in Washington, D.C.