445th Annual Awards Banquet leaves lasting impression

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The National Museum of the United States Air Force was the perfect back drop for a night of fun, music and camaraderie as more than 400 Airmen, family members and community leaders celebrated a night of achievement and accomplishment during the 445th Airlift Wing annual awards banquet March 3, 2012.

The wing was honored to have as its guest speaker Maj. Gen. (ret.) Joseph A. McNeil, former mobilization assistant to the commander, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command. General McNeil is also a civil rights pioneer who as a freshman at North Carolina A&T State University in 1960, he and three other students staged a sit-in at a F.W. Woolworth lunch counter that served "whites only". These four students became known as the "Greensboro Four."

Congressman Steve Austria, U.S. Representative from Ohio's 7th District was also on hand to give remarks and present Congressional Proclamations to the award winners.

This year's award banquet featured three new categories; The Leadership Award, presented to Lt. Col. Kathy Staiger, 445th Airlift Wing staff, for demonstrating exceptional leadership, mentorship, professionalism and dedication to the wing and the Air Force while maintaining a sincere concern for the welfare of our Airmen, their families and the community; The 445th Airlift Wing Community Partner of the Year, presented to the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association for their exceptional support of the wing and unit members; and the Chief Awards, where the 445th AW Chiefs Group selects fours members - one member from each group plus a member from the wing staff. The four chosen for the Chief Awards were Senior Airman Mikhail Berlin, 445th Airlift Wing staff; Tech. Sgt. Joseph Valenzuela, 445th Operations Group; Tech. Sgt. Keric Johnson, 445th Maintenance Group; Senior Master Sgt. Jack Lake, 445th Mission Support Group.

The Airman of the Year award went to Senior Airman Josiah Bourke, 87th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation journeyman. While deployed to Iraq, Bourke aided in the recovery of 7,300 nets, 3,400 thousand pallets, 500 radio frequency identification tags and 50 cargo straps, averaging $8.9 million in restored assets. He also aided in the joint inspection of eight Blackhawk helicopters that helped in re-posturing Operation Enduring Freedom air support operations. Bourke served as a hydration station coordinator for the 2011 Air Force Marathon. He is currently pursuing an Associate degree in hydro dynamics at Sinclair Community College.

The Non-commissioned Officer of the Year went to Master Sgt. Steven Purvis, 445th Maintenance Operations Flight, recently selected as a first sergeant. Sergeant Purvis was recently assigned as the NCO in charge of Passenger Services at Joint Base Charleston where he supervised five Airmen and moved 2,374 passengers on 481 aircraft. Purvis also provided material handling equipment training to 37 passengers, promoting efficient use of resources. He refined the passenger services training exercises to include war skills lessons emphasizing Operation Enduring Freedom/American Expeditionary Forces requirements. During his off-duty time, Purvis is pursuing his fourth higher education degree through Georgia Tech University graduate program. He's an active member of his church and volunteers to help raise money for homeless shelters.

The Senior Non-commissioned of the Year went to Senior Master Sgt Spencer, the Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of material management. Spencer directed the reorganization of a 2,000 square foot warehouse space and was named the 4th Air Force Material Management SNCO of the Year. She directed obsolete equipment turn-in eliminating over $11 million dollars of accountable records. She maintains her annual Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant certifications, and has completed her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Wright-State University. Spencer is the co-leader with the United Way for the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program. She is a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and has helped deliver food baskets to needy families.

The First Sergeant of the Year went to Master Sgt. Anthony Johns, 445th Operations Support Squadron first sergeant. Johns is on full-time orders as the Base Operating Support First Sergeant. He's the liaison to the base total force First Sergeant Council. He is the senior mentor for the first-ever Wing Airman's Council and is a SNCO Leadership Course Facilitator and a Four Lenses Instructor. He has obtained his CCAF Degree, a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and a Masters Degree from George Washington School of Business. Johns spearheaded an Air Force Sergeants Association event that provided 1,700 comfort items to local veterans. He supported a local family violence shelter, collecting and distributing 350 toys to agency children. Johns was recently selected the 4th Air Force First Sergeant of the Year and will compete for the Command award.

The Company Grade Officer of the Year went to Capt. Frank Saul, 89th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot. Saul is responsible for teaching world-wide instrument flying to ensure safety and compliance. He recently taught annual instrument refresher training to the Air Force Materiel Command commander. As a C-5 examiner, Saul amassed 490 hours and 93 sorties in direct support of overseas contingency operations, which included 285 hours as an instructor pilot. The captain is a long standing member of the Wright-Patt Aero Club. He also assists the elderly in household maintenance and transportation needs. Saul continues to serve as a mentor to high school and college ROTC and AF Academy cadets interested in being a pilot and reservist

The Chief of the Year went to Chief Master Sgt. Robert Bowen, 445th Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance superintendent. Bowen served as superintendent for two squadrons during the 2011-2012 C-5 Galaxy to C-17 Globemaster III conversion. He acquired more than $320,000 worth of DLA industrial equipment inventory at zero cost to the squadron, enhancing the fabrication flight's machining/manufacturing capabilities. The chief coordinated efforts to design and locally manufacture an unprocurable C-17 main landing gear wheel fixture, increasing the availability of mission ready wheels by 40 percent. He's heavily involved with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Noble Circle, raising funds for cancer research and raising awareness throughout the community.

The Honor Guard Member of the Year went to Tech. Sgt. Jimmy Montalvo, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. Montalvo was handpicked to assist in orientation and training of 120 new members, reducing detail errors by 95 percent. When man power was low, Sergeant Montalvo performed more than 16 double duties and has kept 100 percent accountability with no safety mishaps on 137 occasions, keeping weapons reliability in accordance to Air Force Instructions. He participated in 132 funerals, 52 color details and travelled 37,011 miles to perform in 69 ceremonies. The Sergeant has committed 1120 hours on the road in performing honor guard duties. In addition, he attained an Associate Degree in Nursing Science and earned 36 credits hours with a 3.5 GPA. During his off-duty hours, he volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and supported Japan Relief efforts by donating blood.

The Civilian of the Year went to Angela Gales, 445th Airlift Wing's Financial Management Office military pay technician. Gales is a natural born leader who strives to motivate her team members and the wing. She ensures all business transactions and practices are performed with the highest amount of integrity and in compliance with required regulation. Gales created a quarterly pay newsletter and has made several recommendations to improve work processes. She provided on the job training and helped to create a continuity book, customer survey, and devising new ways of outreach of communication to Reserve members. Gales received numerous excellent ratings for outstanding customer service on the feedback surveys.

The Spouse of the Year went to Lisa Coons, wife of Master Sgt. Eugene Coons, 445th Security Forces Squadron. Coons volunteered to stand up the 445th Airlift Wing Spouse Council and she also mentors the 445th Youth Council. She collected more than 1700 items and led efforts in constructing 100 gift bags for the Veterans Affairs Stand-down Day. Coons supported deployed members by sending care packages and purchased more than 200 items for stockings for children of deployed members. She donates to the VA and works with local schools to make gifts during Christmas for the Dayton Veterans Hospital. Coons is an active member of the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 751.She assists the wing and the first sergeants in volunteer activities, to include delivering Thanksgiving baskets and Adopt a Family packages for Reserve members.

The Youth of the Year went to Brooke Rowlett, daughter of Staff Sgt. Barry Rowlett, 87th Aerial Port Squadron. Brooke is a senior at Corydon Central High School, Corydon, Ind., with a 3.8 GPA. She currently serves as the president of her Future Farmers of America chapter. She was awarded Top Junior of her chapter. She serves as a member of the Floyd County Farm Bureau, National Technical Honor Society, varsity golf team, and on her church's finance committee. Brooke participated in the Joint Reserve Leadership Teen Summit last summer. She was a delegate at Indiana's State Convention and attended the Washington, D.C., Leadership Conference. She also attended the Indiana Lads to Leaders conference. Brooke is a tour guide for the Prosser School of Technology and serves as a mentor at her school for the Freshmen Mentor Program