Malmstrom's 2015 Annual Awards Banquet

  • Published
  • By Airman Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The spotlight shined bright during the 2015 Annual Awards Banquet, held at the Grizzly Bend at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, Feb. 19. The event honored Malmstrom's outstanding Airmen and civilian employees who have shown exemplary character and dedication to service.

Following a medallion ceremony and detail by the Malmstrom Honor Guard, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody gave his remarks on the night's events.

Cody serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. Cody is the 17th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position.

"It's my honor and privilege to be here and celebrate with you," said Cody. "There are winners in this room and those with the medallions are clearly winners tonight. Feel extremely proud of what you are doing. We need you to keep doing it.

"The fact is, our business is not slowing down and the need for us to be better at it than anyone else in the world is not diminishing in any way, shape or form," he continued. "The good news is that we have you. The good news is that we have the dedicated men and women that will continue to make it so. Congratulations to every one of you tonight."

In addition to Cody's remarks, Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st Missile Wing commander, spoke on this distinguished group's achievements.

"We have 4,000 great teammates here at Malmstrom performing the mission every day, but tonight we recognize the best of the best," said Wilcox. "Those that put forth that extra effort are being recognized as our annual award winners. We must also remember that behind each of these winners are shops, flights, supervisors and families that have enabled this recognition - it's a team effort. 

"Special thanks also to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Cody for joining us as our guest speaker on this special night - we appreciate him being able to share in this special event," he continued.

After comments, recipients in 11 award categories claimed their prize and were recognized for their efforts.

Award winners are as follows:

Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Ryan Braat, 341st Maintenance Group; Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year:  Tech. Sgt. Christopher Daniels, 341st MXG; Senior NCO of the Year:  Master Sgt. Jesse Martinez, 341st MXG; Company Grade Officer of the Year:  Capt. Jason Garcia, 341st Medical Group; Civilian Category I: Shane England, 341st MDG; Civilian Category II: Karen Pester, 341st MDG; Civilian Category I Supervisor: Gary Martin, 341st Mission Support Group; Civilian Category II Supervisor: Lisa JerDon, 341st MSG; 341st Missile Wing Professional Team of the Year:  Facility Maintenance Section, 341 MXG; Honor Guard Member of the Year:  Airman 1st Class Melissa Kahuena, 341st MDG; Honor Guard Manager of the Year:  Tech. Sgt. Christopher Cenatiempo, 341st MSG; Volunteer or the year:  Staff Sgt. Kyler Gardipee, 819th RED HORSE Squadron; Spouse of the Year: Traci Dodd, 341st MXG; First Sergeant of the Year:  Master Sgt. Shawn Wiser, 341st Security Forces Group.


Award winners were selected based on their work ethic, attention to detail, leadership and an all-around encompassment of the Air Force core values.