1. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL
(FOURTH OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
HAS BEEN AWARDED TO
CAPTAIN EDWARD J. BESTA, JR.
FOR
MERITORIOUS SERVICE
24 JULY 2006 TO 15 JULY 2009
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Captain Edward J. Besta, Jr., distinguished himself in various assignments culminating in meritorious
service as Deputy Chief, Integrations Division, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Davis-Monman
Air Force Base, Arizona. During this period, Captain Besta's leadership primed the multi-media flight for
the Visual Information transformation resulting in multiple award winners and superior performance
during a higher Headquarters inspection. His flight received an Inspector General "Best Practice" and
captured the "Outstanding Team" award along with an overall "Excellent" rating during the Air Combat
Command Operational Readiness Inspection. Captain Besta took the lead during the 2009 Summit of the
Americas as the communications representative in the Battle Staff. He provided timely updates to the
Joint Task Force and Combined Forces Air Combined Forces Commander leadership on communications
status for four sites and over 15 hundred personnel supporting the President of the United States.
Additionally, he coordinated with the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-South in response to a critical
Ecuadorian political situation to remove 200,000 dollars worth of sensitive equipment from an Air Forces
Southern base two months early, resolving an International Traffic in Arms Regulations issue and
ensuring a smooth turnover of Manta Air Base. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Besta reflect
credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND
/ A 18 JUNE 2009
NORMAN R.
Lieutenant General, USAF
Commander, 12 AF (AFSOUTH)
AF FORM 2224, JUL 99 Special Order: GA-356 Conditions: 6 PAS: DF1CFBDL RDP: 23 MAR 09