‘Remarkable’ CNATTU Lemoore fire instructor selected as Navy’s best

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate First Class Myron Aldan was selected as the U.S. Navy’s Fire Instructor of the Year, by the U.S. Air Force’s 312th Training Squadron, and home of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Fire Academy.

He will represent the Navy and the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) against other top DoD fire instructors during the annual non-profit Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation awards banquet event in April.

Aldan is currently stationed at Naval Detachment Goodfellow AFB, which is a satellite learning site for CNATT Unit Lemoore in California. As the non-commissioned officer in charge, Aldan’s prime duty is to manage the Hazardous Material Apprentice Course for the Naval Detachment at the joint DoD firefighting academy.  As the lead instructor for the Navy sector of the academy, he leads the entire Navy student core and instructor cadre.

Heavily involved in the course curriculum development and training, Aldan has performed annual evaluations for the other members assigned to his section, creation of course scheduling, instructor rotational schedules and annual Search and Rescue Medical Technician testing.  His ‘superb’ leadership has produced several college graduates, more than 40 Navy awards and an Instructor of the Year.  

As a testament to his leadership, Aldan has been asked to oversee many programs in conjunction with his primary duties at the Goodfellow detachment. His responsibilities range from oversight of the anti-terrorism program where he re-wrote the operating instructions; he is the safety representative for the USN ensuring 100 percent compliance, he manages the Unit Control Center for their emergency management program, serves as motorcycle coordinator, and provided safety briefings to more 1,100 Navy and joint service members/international students, and he serves as the Naval Command Sponsorship program coordinator where he maintains a smooth transition for 30 staff and many students.

Aldan’s efforts in the community round out his performance.  He is also the point of contact for funeral details for fallen veterans in West Texas and has delivered a surplus of meals for the elderly in the local area. He also finds time to judge local chili cook-off competitions.

Danny Herbert, the hazardous material section chief at the Louis F. Garland Fire Training Academy, has managed and supervised military and DoD civilians of all branches during his tenure. He has 18 years of experience as a fire instructor and supervisor in the Fundamentals, Suppression and National Incident Management System.  He shared his praise of ABH1 Aldan’s professional performance.

“He is such an outstanding and remarkable NCO,” Herbert said. “I have known ABH1 Aldan since he arrived here four years ago to become an instructor. Prior to this, he was my student during the apprentice course. I have watched him grow and mature as a NCO, an instructor, and a leader.”