52nd FW names annual award winners

Published March 10, 2008
By SMSgt Cheryl Toner
52nd Fighter Wing

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the 52nd Fighter Wing and their families gathered to recognize the hard work of Airmen and civilians from across the base at the 52nd FW Annual Awards Banquet March 1.

"Every year the level of competition continues to rise," said Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief. "Our people have done some amazing things -- both at home station and at deployed locations.

"Their exceptional accomplishments are a reflection of what every Saber does here every day," Chief Clarke said. "As they move on to the command-level competition, I'm sure they will do our wing proud.

"Our people continue to provide more than they are asked," said Chief Clarke. "They truly define the word professional and are setting the pace and the standards for our Air Force. Congratulations to them all ... we are all proud of how they represent us and to serve with them!"

The following individuals were named the base's annual award winners.

The 52nd FW Airman of the Year is Senior Airman Dorothy Diego, 704th Munitions Support Squadron monitoring facility operator. While deployed Airman responded to seven riot situations involving 12,000 Camp Bucca detainees where her actions helped save U.S. and Iraqi lives. She trained 10 Iraqi correctional officers on riot control. She also served as the on-scene commander for 13 protection level one resource alarms.

The 52nd FW NCO of the Year is Master Sgt. Thomas Smith, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, explosive ordinance disposal craftsman. During 2007 Sergeant Smith was forward deployed with the Army conducing 163 missions outside the wire in Iraq. While there, he manually removed a rocket from an impaled Soldier allowing for the safe recovery of his remains and the continuation of the mission. For his actions in Iraq, Sergeant Smith earned a U.S. Army Combat Badge.

The 52nd FW SNCO of the Year is Master Sgt. James Fonville, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight production supervisor. In 2007 Sergeant Fonville supported six simultaneous Global War on Terror training deployments. He also managed maintenance for nine air and space expeditionary force units that ran more than 11,500 combat missions over Iraq. In addition, he managed the sole U.S. Air Forces in Europe engine repair unit, his team provided support to eight aircraft maintence units 223 engines.

The 52nd FW CGO of the Year is Capt. Kevin Lord, 52nd Operations Support Squadron F-16 chief of wing weapons. Captain Lord helped the 52nd FW save half a million dollars by discovering and implementing a command and control system work-around eliminating the need to purchase new equipment. Throughout the year he taught 120 pilots Operation Iraqi Freedom after action academics and USAFE/NATO datalink operations to F-16 and A-10 pilots at a theater indoctrination course.

The 52nd FW First Sergeant of the Year is Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca Brauer, 703rd Munitions Support Squadron first sergeant. Providing a strong influence on those around her, she helped her unit earn the Air force Outstand Safety Achievement Award. Sergeant Brauer led the European CGO Conference's First Sergeants panel where she mentored 35 officers. During a high operations tempo time she ran recalls and battlestaffs through 42 exercises and six real world response events.

The 52nd FW Honor Guard Member of the Year is Tech. Sgt. Michael Jackson, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist section expediter. In 2007 Sergeant Jackson performed in more than 80 ceremonies and managed the team's $10,000 budget. He guided the training of 35 Airmen from across four geographically separated units in three countries. He also took the lead in hosting the Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team that performed for more than 500 Sabers.

The 52nd FW Category I Civilian of the Year is Janise Witten, 52nd Maintenance Group secretary as needed. Throughout 2007, Ms. Witten filled in as the base secretary. During the base operation evaluation, she cut orders ensuring that 52nd MXG personnel were able to deploy on time. She also served at the president of the Eifel School Advisory Broad.

The 52nd FW Category II Civilian of the Year is Susan Misener, 52nd Services Squadron Family Member Programs flight chief. Ms. Misener led her unit in beating all USAFE finance goals in the child development, community activities and youth centers. She also helped the CAC double its annual recreation programs. She created the template adopted by headquarters USAFE to crown the "Command Idol" champion. In addition, she helped build the base Iron Chef Kids program.

The 52nd FW Volunteer of the Year is Shelley Turner, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (No package information was available)

Congratulations also goes out to the following Sabers who were annual award nominees.

Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Stephanie Breeding, 52nd Medical Support Squadron;
Senior Airman Michael Elsik, 606th Air Control Squadron;
Senior Airman Zachary Hedquest, 52nd CES;
Airman 1st Class Krystal Kidnocker, 52nd FW and
Airman 1st Class Meagan Mitchell, 52nd AMXS

NCO of the Year Nominees
Tech. Sgt. David Flosi, 704th MUNSS;
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Kelley, 52nd OSS;
Tech. Sgt. Breah Misho, 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron;
Tech. Sgt. Brian Schichler, 52nd FW and
Staff Sgt. Erick Slater, 52nd CMS;

SNCO of the Year Nominees
Master Sgt. Melanie Dolzanie, 52nd MDSS;
Senior Master Sgt. Michael Harris, 702nd Munitions Support Squadron;
Master Sgt. George King, 52nd FW;
Master Sgt. Patrick Rippy, 606th ACS and
Master Sgt. Jeff Dawson, 52nd Communications Squadron

CGO of the Year Nominees
Capt. Holly Kinsey, 52nd LRS;
Capt. Robert Kochan, 701st Munitions Support Squadron;
Capt. Aaron Maness, 52nd FW;
Capt. Patrick Parsons, 52nd Dental Squadron and
Capt. William Wunschel, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron

Honor Guard Member of the Year Nominees
Airman 1st Class Justin Lemmon, 52nd EMS and
Airman 1st Class Amy Peltier, 52nd LRS

First Sergeant of the Year Nominees
Senior Master Sgt. Arthur Heller, 52nd EMS
Master Sgt. Alfred Hodges, 52nd Security Forces Squadron

Category I Civilian of the Year Nominees
Angela Aponte, Joint Fires Center of Excellence;
Gertrud Fandel, 52nd OSS;
Eric Guth, 52nd SVS;
Cherylann Robinson, 704th MUNSS;
Pamela Salvio, 52nd Medical Group and

Category II Civilian of the Year Nominees
Klaus Van Den Boom, 52nd FW;
Brian Valentine, 52nd OSS

Volunteer of the Year Nominees
Bettina Giddens, 52nd Mission Support Squadron;
Amy Gilchrist, 81st Fighter Squadron;
Jan McClay, 606th ACS Spouses Group;
Mary-Lynn Piper, 52nd SVS and
Staff Sgt. Theodore Saxman, 703rd MUNSS