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2017 Air Force Chief of Safety and Safety Staff Awards announced

  • Published
  • By Keith Wright
  • Air Force Safety Center
Maj. Gen. John T. Rauch Jr., Air Force chief of safety, recently announced the recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, Chief of Safety and Safety Staff Awards for 2017.

"It's a privilege to recognize Airmen and units for their safety achievements in 2017," Rauch said. "It’s a combination of leadership involvement and the commitment of these individuals and organizations that make the Air Force Safety Program one of the best at keeping Airmen safe, protecting resources, and preserving combat capability while accomplishing the mission."

Air Force Safety Award winners are:

Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award:
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

Major General Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award:
Air Mobility Command

Koren Kolligian Jr., Trophy:
Lt. Col. Daniel P. Finnegan, Vermont Air National Guard

Colonel Will L. Tubbs Memorial Award for Ground Safety:
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

Air Force Chief of Safety Special Achievement Award:
48 Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (USAFE)

Safety Career Professional of the Year Award:
Master Sgt. Victorio Gutierrez, 31 Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy (USAFE)

Air Force Nuclear Surety Outstanding Achievement Award:
341 Operational Support Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana (Air Force Global Strike Command)

Air Force Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award for Weapons Safety
Master Sgt. Charles B. Lester, 31 Fighter Wing, Aviano AB, Italy (USAFE)

Air Force Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award for Ground Safety:
Category I - 00-ALC Safety Office, Hill AFB, Utah (Air Force Materiel Command)
Category II - 502 Air Base Wing Safety Office, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas (Air Education and Training Command)
Category III - 100 Air Refueling Wing Occupational Safety Office, RAF Mildenhall, England (USAFE)
Category IV - 62 Air Wing Occupational Safety Office, JB Lewis-McChord, Washington (AMC)
Category V - Legacy Tanker Division, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma (AFMC)

Air Force Chief of Safety Aircrew of Distinction Award:
The Crew of Hawk 91, 28th Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas (AFGSC)

Air Force Chief of Safety Aviation Maintenance Safety Award:
Staff Sgt. Thomas H. Tardif, 901 Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida (Air Force Special Operations Command)

Air Force Chief of Safety Cyber Safety Award:
Vulnerability Management Team, 502 Communications Squadron, JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (AETC)

Air Force Chief of Safety Space Safety Award:
Ms. Laura W. Sargent, 45 Space Wing, Patrick AFB, Florida (Air Force Space Command)

MAJCOM Safety Staff Aviation Award:
Mr. George Chappel, AETC/Flight Safety

MAJCOM Safety Staff Occupational Award:
Mr. David Etrheim, AETC/Occupational Safety

MAJCOM Safety Staff Space Award:
Ms. Jaqueline M. Kaiser, AFSPC/Space Safety

MAJCOM Safety Staff Weapons Award:
Master Sgt. Mark Kenyon, Pacific Air Forces/SWeapons Safety

Aero Club Safety Certificates:
Hanscom Aero Club (AFMC)
Robins Aero Club (AFMC)
Eglin Aero Club (AFMC)
Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center (AFSPC)
Dover Air Force Base Aero Club (AMC)
Yokota Air Base (PACAF)