SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
1st. Lt. Derek Wibben,
82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron operations Officer in Charge of Aerospace and
Operational Physiology, is from Andover, Minnesota, and has been in the Air
Force for one year. Wibben is the Support Airman of the Week at Sheppard
Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of 23-29 Aug. 2016.
Most significant accomplishments:
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the
University of Arizona.
- Arizona/NASA Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research
Intern – Project Team Member for the Prototype Lunar Greenhouse.
- Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona
State University.
- One of Four Trainee Squadron Operations Commanders at
Commissioned Officer Training - directed 80 other medical/Judge Advocate General/chaplain
officers and led them to the title of Honor Squadron and two Squadron of the
Week awards throughout the training. Earned Distinguished Graduate for
outstanding leadership, fitness, and academic success.
- Distinguished Graduate of the Aerospace and Operational
Physiology Officer Course.
- 82nd Medical Group Change of Command project officer -
organized 21 agencies and directing over 70 personnel.
- Human Factors expert for a dental Sentinel Event Root
Cause Analysis investigation - developed recommendations for 3 causal factors
to the Air Force Medical Operations Agency and the Joint Commission to reduce
potential for further errors Air Force-wide.
Airman’s story:
“I am originally from Minnesota,” said Wibben. “I completed
my undergraduate degree at the beautiful University of Arizona. The following
summer, my cousin and I worked highway construction together to give our brains
a break after both finishing engineering school and, as he was about to
commission as an Air Force undergraduate pilot student, it helped solidify my
decision to become a military officer upon completion of graduate school.”
“Because of my medical background and a pretty sweet and
applicable NASA internship, I chose to join as an Aerospace and Operational
Physiologist, where I have the opportunity to provide life-saving training to
joint-service and international aircrew while proudly serving my country,” he
said.
Supervisor’s
comments:
“Lieutenant Derek Wibben is a self-starter and has
transitioned from being a civilian just over a year ago to a fully certified
Aerospace Physiologist,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Wolf, 82nd AMDS commander. “He
is a ‘speed of light’ learner with phenomenal leadership skills. Due to his
high level of motivation, he has increased the number of classes offered,
enable more just-in-time training, and decreased altitude exposure times. His
military bearing and physical standards exceed the standard exemplifying the
Air Force image. He instructs approximately 72 students including Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training student pilots each
month. He strives to enhance the 82nd Training Wing’s mission to ‘Train and
Inspire Warriors’ as well as the 82nd AMDS mission at ‘Preventing Disease and
Optimizing Performance.’”