Tinker major inducted into DCHS Alumni Hall of Fame Published Jan. 10, 2014 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A Tinker major was one of four recently inducted into the Del City High School Alumni Hall of Fame. Maj. Brian Putnam, Class of 1987, was inducted in November, along with Tari Vickery, Class of 1969; Roger Stuart, Class of 1973, and Brenda Mechling, Class of 1975. Major Putnam attended Del City High School from 1984-1987. After graduating in 1987, Major Putnam attended Rose State College, where he received his Associate of Arts - Legal Assistant in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Science - Liberal Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1993. Major Putnam received his Juris Doctor degree in 2005 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Major Putnam has served 15 years in the United States Air Force and is currently the deputy director of Material Support Contracting Division at Tinker. Major Putnam has received the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and Air Force Achievement Medal. Major Putnam arrived at Tinker in May 2012 from having filled a selectively manned position as the chief of Contracts for the Chief Information Office and chief of Contract Accountable Government Property at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia, where he was responsible for information technology contracts totaling more than $400 million, and a portfolio of space and ground assets valued at more than $5.1 billion. Shortly after his arrival at Tinker, he deployed to Afghanistan theater of operations where he served as chief, Regional Contracting Center Fenty, Central Command Joint Theater Support Contracting Command while engaged in ground operations against the enemy at Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan from July 27, 2012 through January 26, 2013. During Operation Enduring Freedom, Major Putnam demonstrated exceptional leadership and developed strategic initiatives to promote counterinsurgency contracting and economic development while providing mission-critical contracting support to provide life support for and enhance the combat effectiveness of 25,000 Coalition Forces, Afghan National Army Forces, Afghan Border and Uniformed Police in Regional Command East. Major Putnam led a team of 23 Department of Defense civilians, Air Force, Army, Navy, contractor and Afghan personnel with contract responsibility more than 30,000 square miles in the highly kinetic providences of Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar and Laghman. Major Putnam took contracting on the offensive throughout these providences leading the way on 50 air and convoy missions outside the wire without regard to his personal safety. Major Putnam was engaged by direct and indirect enemy fire multiple times while traveling to conduct contract surveillance, site surveys and negotiations. On a midnight convoy to assess a stalled $1 million road project in a remote and highly volatile area near the border with Pakistan, he went into harm's way, joining a dismounted patrol to conduct route clearance over a 5km stretch of narrow roadway to mitigate the effects of possible improvised explosive devices on an oncoming convoy conducting a vital resupply operation. When the patrol came under enemy attack, exposed to direct fire and immediate grave danger, Major Putnam assisted the team in securing and successfully holding the road for the oncoming convoy without the loss of personnel or materiel. His leadership and devotion to those under his command were evident during the largest attack ever reported on Forward Operating Base Fenty. As the attack commenced, he immediately accounted for his personnel and then ran 600 yards through incoming mortar fire to locate and ensure the safety of a missing Airman. Throughout his time in Afghanistan, Major Putnam deliberately and continually went into the enemy's domain to conduct his duties in providing world-class leadership and contracting support to the warfighter.