Deployed officer recognized by Secretary of Defense

Department of Defense photo: Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Matthew Fecke, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron engineer, is coined by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta Dec. 13 at Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Fecke is currently deployed from Cannon Air Force Base, and was recognized by leadership for superior performance.

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE — A deployed member of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base was recently coined by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta.

Currently stationed overseas with the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, 2nd Lt. Matthew Fecke, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron engineer, commands all support functions at his deployed assignment.

"I was coined because I was recognized by leadership as a superior performer," said Fecke. "Being offered the opportunity to hear the Secretary of Defense speak was a truly enlightening experience."

"As a new officer, I could never imagine I would be able to merit an honor such as this — let alone while deployed," he added. "This is my first deployment and so far, each day has offered unique challenges and experiences. I have been presented with so many opportunities for growth and I can see here how each support function is vital to enabling our global mission."