Setnan Service to America CO FINAL

IN REPLY REFER TO:
3500
ADJ
9 Nov 12
From: Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
To: Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, MPC-40 Manpower and Reserve
Affairs, Quantico, Virginia
Subj: NOMINATION FOR SERVICE TO AMERICA MEDAL FOR CAREER
ACHIEVEMENT IN CASE OF MR. MICHAEL SETNAN
1. I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Michael Setnan (GS-13) for
selection as the Department of Defense (DOD) Honorary Civilian
Award in the category of Service to America Medals—Career
Achievement. Mr. Michael Setnan was born in Arlington Heights,
Illinois on 5 February 1965. Mr. Setnan has been an employee of
the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro and MCAS Miramar Air
Traffic Control Facilities for a total of 21 years. Mr. Setnan’s
work address is Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine
Corps Air Station Miramar, Post Office Box 452013, San Diego, CA
92145-2013. He can be reached via email at Michael.Setnan@USMC.MIL
or via telephone at (858)577-4260/DSN 267-4260.
2. Mr. Setnan is nominated for selection as the DOD Honorary
Civilian Award in the category of Service to America Medals—Career
Achievement for contributions to America and the United States
Marine Corps while serving as the Air Show Air Boss aboard MCAS
Miramar from 1998 to 2012. Mr. Setnan has expertly managed all
tasks as the Air Boss at the military’s largest air show all while
continually initiating significant improvements within the MCAS
Miramar Air Traffic Control Facility in his duties as an Air
Traffic Control Facility Watch Officer, a Primary Position
Instructor/Examiner, and a Tower/Radar Watch Supervisor.
3. Mr. Setnan’s sustained outstanding performance over his 21
years as a career federal civil service professional makes him best
qualified for selection as this year’s DOD Honorary Civilian Award
in the category of Service to America Medals—Career Achievement.
In 1998, Mr. Setnan was selected from among his peers to serve as
the Air Boss for the annual MCAS Miramar Air Show. He has
maintained that role for 15 years throughout his entire tenure
aboard Miramar, serving as a constant presence within the command
and providing vital continuity between all Air Shows. The MCAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR
P.O. BOX 452013
SAN DIEGO, CA 92145-2013

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Miramar Air Show is the largest military air show in the United
States, averaging over 500,000 spectators, consisting of four shows
(three day shows and one night show), and 16 individual aerial
demonstration acts. Mr. Setnan’s duties as the Air Boss require
coordination with outside agencies for the duration of the year.
In his role as the Air Boss, Mr. Setnan has coordinated for
temporary airspace Letters of Agreement with Southern California
Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) and Montgomery
Tower. He has arranged for Temporary Flight Restrictions and
Notices to Airmen to support the schedules of each Air Show. Mr.
Setnan has been responsible for determining the impact of Air Show
operations upon local area air traffic control procedures and
developing appropriate courses of action that mitigate loss of
aviation assets and maintain safety of flight. Based on his
expertise and whole-hearted dedication to the mission of MCAS
Miramar, Mr. Setnan is fully trusted by commanders at all levels
within the Marine Corps to make decisions in the best interest of
aviation and air station assets and personnel. Mr. Setnan has
submitted letters to the City of San Diego, including requests for
the closure of Montgomery Field during the military jet team
rehearsal and demonstrations. He has served as a liaison with
local media personnel ensuring that they are able to accurately
encapsulate the Marine Corps story and the outstanding
contributions of MCAS Miramar to the community of San Diego.
Throughout each Air Show, Mr. Setnan is continually invited to
speak to the crowds via the audio system as the show center asks
him various questions about the administration and operation of the
Air Show’s events. Mr. Setnan is also responsible for the
performing of an average of four pilot briefs each Air Show
weekend. He has exercised the duties as Air Boss during over 70
separate Air Show event sessions during his tenure. Mr. Setnan is
responsible for the writing and the adjustment of the show schedule
depending on meteorological conditions, performer availability,
departures, arrivals, and requirements to hold traffic, thereby
facilitating Air Show performance timelines. Mr. Setnan’s vast
abilities and aptitude for air traffic control has resulted in his
selection to attend the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS)
in Las Vegas, Nevada this December. During this training, Mr.
Setnan will further hone his skills as an Air Show Air Boss
through exhibit and convention based formats with over 1,500 air
show professionals. Mr. Setnan will serve as a subject matter
expert at this event, representing both MCAS Miramar and the Marine
Corps as a whole.
4. Mr. Setnan is continually motivated to perform his duties in an
exemplary manner by his commitment to the betterment of individual
Marines, the Marine Corps, and American society. In 2010, Mr.

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Setnan was selected as one of the two Senior Primary Position
Instructors within the MCAS Miramar Air Traffic Control Facility.
In this role, Mr. Setnan is responsible for the overall training
and management of instructors and students on his crew. He makes
recommendations to support training and authorizes student and
instructor certification requests. In 2010, Mr. Setnan was also
assigned duties as a Tower/Radar Examiner performing annual “Over
the Shoulder” controller certifications to ensure the continued
quality of MCAS Miramar’s air traffic control services.
In these roles, Mr. Setnan has contributed immeasurably to the
success of MCAS Miramar and the combat readiness of the Marine
Corps. Mr. Setnan has been an integral factor allowing for the
achievement of over 2,013 air traffic control certifications in his
15 years aboard the Miramar Air Traffic Control Facility, thereby
drastically improving the operational capabilities of the Marine
Corps as a whole. Moreover, Mr. Setnan has served as an air
traffic controller in the operational environment for a total of
over 28,420 hours on position aboard MCAS Miramar. For his expert
application of knowledge, strong work ethic, and stellar attention
to detail, Mr. Setnan has received various awards for his
achievements. He has received awards for his skilled handling of
aircraft emergencies, for his exceptional performance while serving
in his role as the Air Boss, and his exemplary support in his role
as the Plans and Procedures Specialist. Mr. Setnan also received
two Quality Step Increases during his tenure aboard MCAS Miramar,
further demonstrating the outstanding nature of his DOD service
that has characterized his entire career. Mr. Setnan has a heart
for the community of San Diego, thereby serving to further
contribute to the positive relationship between MCAS Miramar and
the community of San Diego. Mr. Setnan serves as a basketball
coach for a middle school competitive development team supporting
local high schools.
5. Overall, Mr. Setnan is an outstanding DOD employee, a trusted
confidant, and a fine citizen in the community of San Diego
eminently worthy of receiving the FY12 DOD Honorary Civilian Award
in the category of Service to America Medals—Career Achievement.
The Selection of Mr. Setnan would demonstrate to both DOD Civilians
and Marines alike that selfless attention to detail and tireless
work ethic do not go unnoticed. It is with great pride and
enthusiasm that Mr. Setnan is nominated for selection as the DOD
Service to America Medals—Career Achievement award recipient.

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6. The point of contact at this command is Captain Welsh at
(858)577-4273/DSN 267-4273.
J. P. FARNAM

Setnan Service to America CO FINAL

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Setnan Service to America CO FINAL