Team Malmstrom garners numerous awards for accomplishments in 2011

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The men and women of Malmstrom Air Force Base have a storied history for earning prestigious awards and this year was no exception. Starting with the Global Strike Challenge competition on through to the annual awards, here is a recap of the accolades earned.

Among them are three of the top honors that can be presented to a wing commander - the Col. Lee R. Williams Memorial Award, the Gen. Samuel C. Phillips Award and the Col. Lowell F. McAdoo Award.

The Williams Award is awarded annually to recognize the outstanding missile wing in Air Force Global Strike Command. Williams was one of the early participants in the strategic missile program. He supervised the development of many important missile plans and programs while assigned to Vandenberg Air Force Base and Headquarters Strategic Air Command.

The Phillips Award is sponsored by the Association of Air Force Missileers and is awarded annually to recognize the best overall missile squadron. Phillips was the program manager during the development and testing of the Minuteman ICBM system. Many of his ideas and concepts of operations are still in use today. The 12th Missile Squadron earned this award for 2011.

The McAdoo Award is also awarded annually to the best overall ICBM Operations Support Squadron in Air Force Global Strike Command. A career missileer at wing, MAJCOM and USAF, McAdoo was the 91st Strategic Missile Wing deputy director for operations at the time of his untimely death in 1984. This award recognizes the ICBM OSS that made the most significant contributions in support of the ICBM mission.

Global Strike Challenge
Klotz Trophy for the Best ICBM Operations - 341st Operations Group
McMahon Trophy -- 490th Missile Squadron Best Weapon Systems Operations
Best Search and Rescue Crew - 40th Helicopter Squadron

341st Missile Wing Staff Agency Awards
AFGSC Col. Lee R. Williams Memorial Award
AFGSC Heritage Award - Curt Shannon
AFGSC Command Post of the Year
AFGSC Command Post Airman of the Year - Airman 1st Class Amanda Buck
AFGSC Media Contest first place winners:
--Feature article: Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
--Sports article: Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
--Graphics Illustration: Bob Stillwell (also won at AF level)
--Radio Spot Production: Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton
--Radio News Report: Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton
--Radio Feature Report: Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton
--TV News Report: Charlie Heit
--Local TV Newscast: 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs (also won at AF level)
--Local TV Newsbreak: Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton
--Outstanding New Writer: Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton
AFGSC Terence P. Finnegan Award - Malmstrom Chapel
Edwin R. Chess Award - Chap. (Capt.) Steven Survance
Charles R. Meier Award - Staff Sgt. Katelyn Blomberg
AFGSC Best Antiterrorism Program Manager - Fred Rauch
AFGSC Financial Management Officer of the Year - 1st Lt. Lauren Tubesing
AFGSC Resource Advisor of the Year - Master Sgt. Nathan Reno
AFGSC Resource Advisor of the Year - Senior Master Sgt. David Rice
National Safety Council Award of Honor for Noteworthy Group Safety Performance
AFGSC Human Factors Safety Excellence Award
AFGSC Award of Distinction for Ground Safety - Roger Cox
AFGSC Award of Distinction for Flight Safety - Capt. Allen Cain

341st Operations Group Awards
Gen. Samuel C. Phillips Award - Best Missile Squadron in AFGSC - 12th MS
Col. Lowell F. McAdoo Award - Best ICBM Operations Support Squadron in AFGSC - 341st OSS
Maj. Duane W. Hollis Award - Best Codes Flight in 20th AF - 341st OSS
Best Emergency War Orders in 20th AF - 341st OSS
Best Missile Feeding Operations - 341st Operations Group
20th AF Operations Enlisted Person of the Year - Master Sgt. Cameron Smith
20th AF Missile Chef of the Year - Senior Airman Austin Coleman
AFGSC Jolly Green Giant Award for best rescue mission - 40th Helicopter Squadron
AFGSC Outstanding Helicopter Crew Award:
  • Capt. Andrew Ackles, Aircraft Commander
  • Capt. John Mahaney, Co-pilot
  • Capt. Angela Ling, Flight Nurse
  • Staff Sgt. Michael Frank, Flight Engineer
341st Maintenance Group Awards
AFMC Outstanding Munitions Professional (Airman Category) - Senior Airman Anthony Cook
AFMC Outstanding Nuclear Munitions Professional (Civilian Category) - David Phillips
AFGSC Col. Edward Payne Missile Maintainer of the Year (Technician Category) -- Senior Airman Reno Cabrera
AFGSC Maintenance Training Flight Instructor of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Jordan Mohr

341st Security Forces Group
AFGSC Security Forces Flight Airman of the Year 2011 - Senior Airman James Machen (341 MSFS) -
20 AF Military Meritorious Service Award -- Master Sgt. Liliana Zamora (741 MSFS)

341st Mission Support Group
USSTRATCOM Task Force Junior Tier Enlisted Airman of the Year - Airman 1st Class Blaine Erway
AFGSC Logistics Plans Airman - Airman 1st Class Paige Garrett (also won at AF level)
AFGSC Air Transportation NCO - Tech. Sgt. Nathan Barlow
AFGSC Traffic Management Senior NCO - Senior Master Sgt. Kimberly Thompkins
AFGSC Traffic Management NCO - Master Sgt. Omar Cortez Aponte Cabrera
AFGSC Vehicle Management Senior NCO - Master Sgt. Justin Tayler
AFGSC Vehicle Operations Senior NCO - Master Sgt. Timothy Powers
AFGSC Vehicle Operations Airman - Senior Airman Gregory Roland
AFGSC Installation Resource Advisor of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Nathan Reno
AFGSC Lieutenant General Norm Lezy Award - Lt. Col. Billy Wade
AFGSC Child Development Program of the Year
AFGSC Family Child Care Program of the Year
AFGSC Golden Plate Award - 341st Force Support Squadron
AFGSC Gerrit D. Foster, Jr., Outstanding Military Personnel Program
AFGSC Arts and Crafts Program of the Year
AFGSC Specialist of the Year - Theresa Schreder
AFGSC Force Support Company Grade Officer of the Year (ARC) - Capt. Jacelyn Splichal
AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Unit (small)
AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Civilian (GS-11 and below) - Len Carroll
AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Enlisted Member - Master Sgt. Jennifer George
Air Force Maj. Gen. Lupia Award for Military Technician of the Year - Senior Airman Andrew Dye
Air Force Civil Engineer Civilian Manager of the Year - Gary Martin
AFGSC General Thomas White Award Environmental Quality and Natural Resources Award
AFGSC Colonel Fredrick Reimer Award - Readiness and Emergency Management Flight
AFGSC Fire Department of the Year: 341st CES Fire Emergency Services Flight
AFGSC Military Firefighter of the Year: Airman 1st Class Blaine Erway

341st Medical Group
USAF Physical Medicine Craftsman Award - Tech. Sgt. Shizuka Smith
Outstanding Air Force Diagnostic Imaging Technologist Airman of the Year - Staff Sgt. Justin Swindle
AFGSC Small Dental Clinic of the Year
AFGSC Outstanding Enlisted Health Services Management Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Courtney LaDue
AFGSC Outstanding Medical Materiel NCO of the Year - Staff Sgt. Lee Olson
AFGSC and USAF Public Health NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Kelly Moore
AFGSC USAF Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year -- Staff Sgt. Stephanie Stagray
AFGSC USAF Laboratory Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Leslie Balliew
AFGSC Outstanding CMA of the Year - Maj. Glenn Donnelly
AFGSC Malcolm C. Grow Flight Surgeon of the Year - Maj. Glenn Donnelly

819th RED HORSE Squadron Awards
HQ 9th Air Force Lance Sijan Awards:
Junior Enlisted: Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Reneau
Senior Enlisted: Master Sgt. Thomas Blount
Junior Officer: Capt. Nick Saccone
9th AF SAIGE Meritorious Service Award - Tech. Sgt. Evalayna Little Young Man - Baker
9th AF American Legion Spirit of Service Award - Airman 1st Class Christopher Lee

HQ 9th AF Awards
Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt. Graham Auten
Airman of the Year - Staff Sgt. David Menotti
Civilian of the Year Category I - Andrew Miller
AF Society of American Engineers Goddard Medal - Senior Master Sgt. Joel Jones

341st Missile Wing Annual Award Winners
Civilian Category I of the Year: William Burgus (also won for 20th AF)
Civilian Category II of the Year: Jason Gibbons (also won for 20th AF)
Civilian Supervisor Category I of the Year: Kenneth Sanders (also won for 20th AF)
Civilian Supervisor Category II of the Year: Kevin Rinehart
Honor Guard of the Year: Senior Airman John Hicks
First Sergeant of the Year: Mater Sgt. Shane Matt (also won for 20th AF)
Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Michael Bergeron
Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Cynthia Boots
NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Reneau
Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Kara Tank
Professional Team of the Year: 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron Fox Flight

20th Air Force additional annual award winner
Honor Guard Manager of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Thomas Chase

Team Malmstrom members recognized by the NSI Team following their inspection in August 2011 include the following:

341st MW Superior Performers
Command Post
Staff Sgt. Brandy Barnes
Airman 1st Class Amanda Buck

341st Maintenance Group
341 Maintenance Operations Squadron
Master Sgt. Max Newman

341st Missile Maintenance Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Mario Ceballos Martinez

341st Security Forces Group
Staff Sgt. Elijah Galan
Airman 1st Class Allison Blevins

341st Security Forces Squadron
Airman 1st Class Sage Gonzales
Airman 1st Class Breanna Hastings
Airman 1st Class Julie Bittinger
Airman 1st Class Lashona Carrol
Senior Airman Nichoals Capriato
Tech. Sgt. Thomas Hughes
Master Sgt. Benjamin Nucci

341st Medical Group
341st Medical Operations Squadron
Master Sgt. Sarah Edwards
Staff Sgt. Katherine L. Weimer

341st Missile Wing Superior Performer Teams
Command Post Controller Team 1
Capt. Jonathan Smith
Master Sgt. Jennie C. Barlow
Staff Sgt. Brandy Barnes
Staff Sgt. Jack Vudtiyanon
Senior Airman Keisha Haynes

341st Operations Group
10th Missile Squadron Crew S030
Capt. David Zesinger
1st Lt Paul Gephart III

490th Missile Squadron Crew S130
Capt. Griff Hofman
1st Lt. Jason Kotlewski

341st Maintenance Group
Consequence Management Team
1st Lt. Michael Bergeron
Master Sgt. Harry Evans III

341st Security Forces Group
Security Manager Team
Tech. Sgt. Christopher King
Tech. Sgt. Gary Marrone, Jr.

341st Security Forces Squadron
Weapons Systems Security
Master Sgt. John Swalek
Tech. Sgt. Heather Geer
Tech. Sgt. Edmond Bourque
Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Lowrey
Staff Sgt. Alexander Conner
Senior Airman Nicholas Capriato
Senior Airman Benjamin Bryan

Central Security Control
Staff Sgt. Danielle Bevans
Staff Sgt. Jason Field
Senior Airman Danielle Goulet

341st Mission Support Group
341st Civil Engineer Squadron
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Emergency Response Team
Staff Sgt. Jason Jeffers
Staff Sgt. Daniel Hunsinger
Staff Sgt. Tanner Tilton
Senior Airman Thomas Blanco
Airman 1st Class Joseph Chrobak
Airman 1st Class Michael Muck

341st Medical Group
341st Medical Operations Squadron
PRP Clinic/MDOS Team
Capt. Christopher Nelson
Master Sgt. Sarah Edwards
Tech. Sgt. Christina Zabel
Staff Sgt. Katherine Weimer
Staff Sgt. Cody Bohlke
Mr. Brian Perry
Mrs. Janet Cameron
Senior Airman Oren Walker
Senior Airman Aaron Delperdang
Senior Airman Katiusca Ogando
Airman 1st Class Melvin Ford

Dental Clinic/MDOS Team
Capt. Michelle Heath
Master Sgt. Jesse West, Jr.
Tech. Sgt. Jacob Webb
Senior Airman Amanda DePasquale

341st Missile Wing
Disaster Response Force
341st CES Emergency Management
Tech. Sgt. Brandon Smith
Staff Sgt. Simon McCabe
Senior Airman Rebecca Chase
Airman 1st Class Thomas Hermansen

341st CES Emergency Management Support Team
Staff Sgt. Shawn P. Ness
Senior Airman Joseph R. Jones
Senior Airman Lucas Keppers
Senior Airman Jody Kilpatrick
Senior Airman Joshua Austin
Senior Airman Jon Norcross
Airman 1st Class Eric Caswell
Airman 1st Class Isaac Brenyah
Airman 1st Class Logan Quibell
Airman 1st Class Hee Lee
Airman 1st Class Sang Nguyen
Airman 1st Class Evan McConnell
Airman 1st Class Michael Buhrman
Airman 1st Class Brenden McMurry
Airman 1st Class Zachary Bieranowski
Airman 1st Class Johnny Martinez
Airman 1st Class Jacob Lucas
Airman Brandon Poot
Airman Basic Michael Inman

341st CES Fire and Emergency Services Hazmat Decontamination
Senior Master Sgt. James Hazelip, Jr.
Master Sgt. Jason McMichael
Mr. Daniel Dodson
Mr. Russell White
Mr. Michael S. Johns
Mr. Ryan Burke
Staff Sgt. Justin Zabel
Staff Sgt. Chad James
Staff Sgt. Brian Patterson
Staff Sgt. Zachary Henry
Staff Sgt. David Rogan
Senior Airman Mark Martin
Airman 1st Class Joshua Grohe
Airman 1st Class Leigha Cerwinski
Airman 1st Class Kyle Almeida
Airman 1st Class Cody Ripka

341st Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering
Maj. Anthony Cagle
Capt. Crystalyn Brown
Staff Sgt. Irak Garcia
Staff Sgt. Scott Labonte
Staff Sgt. Marigold Westbrook
Staff Sgt. James Wood
Senior Airman Richard Frank
Senior Airman Jessica McFelia
Senior Airman Michelle Smith
Airman 1st Class Johnathan Sabat-Figueroa
Airman Jonathan M. Bailey

341st Medical Group Flight Medicine
Maj. Brad Nieset
Capt. Angela Ling
Master Sgt. Gary Cain
Staff Sgt. Kathrine Weimer
Staff Sgt. Cody Bohlke
Senior Airman Zachary Freeman
Airman 1st Class Ryan McCray

341st Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Decontamination Team
Staff Sgt. Zachary Peterson
Staff Sgt. Christian Banks
Airman 1st Class Kurt Stuettgen
Airman 1st Class Elena Torres
Airman 1st Class Jaime Perales

341st Security Forces Squadron Incident Command
2nd Lt. Autumne Wells
Master Sgt. Francisco Santiago
Master Sgt. William Stevens

Convoy Response Flight (741 MSFS)