Ellsworth awarded for excellence in safety

  • Published
  • By Airman Kimberly Limrick
  • Black Hills Bandit Staff
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, SD --  Ellsworth won four safety awards at the major command level and will now compete at the Air Force level.

The winners first competed against others in their safety career fields from every wing in 12th Air Force. After winning at that level, the winners went on to compete at the Air Combat Command level.

“These awards exemplify the hard work, dedication and safety focus that Ellsworth has and continues to improve on,” said Lt. Col. Howard Shrum, 28th Bomb Wing safety commander.

Explosive Safety Plaque:

This award recognizes organizations for outstanding achievement in contribution to explosives safety.

Ellsworth’s winners include:

Master Sgt. Kevin Glassner

Master Sgt. John Nessler

“Kevin [Sgt. Glassner] and John [Sgt. Nessler] are excellent weapons safety NCO’s. These winners are from the wing’s weapons safety flight and have done a tremendous job in making sure the wing is in compliance with all weapons safety issues. Under their supervision, the wing was weapons mishap-free.”

— Col. Shrum

Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award for Ground Safety:

This award recognizes the most effective installation-level forward operating area and direct reporting unit ground safety programs.

Ellsworth’s winners include:

Mr. Wally Smartt

Mr. Leo Heuwagen

Master Sgt. Mike Walter

Tech Sgt. Al Steffers

“You couldn’t ask for a better group of professionals responsible for all ground safety issues in the wing. They work with every organization on base and provide expert safety advice to each, ensuring all work areas are safe and in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Defense and Air Force standards.”

— Col. Shrum

Chief of Safety Aircrew of

Distinction Award:

This award recognizes at least two aircrew members up to an entire crew in averting a mishap or minimizing the seriousness of an aircraft emergency situation.

Ellsworth’s winners include:

Capt. Neil McCrackin (pictured below center)

Capt. Norman Shelton (pictured below left)

Maj. Davin Shing (pictured below right)

Capt. Patrick Snyder

“These aviators are from the 37th Bomb Squadron. This crew used their superb knowledge, skill and experience to safely recover a crippled aircraft.”

— Col. Shrum

Flight Line Safety Outstanding Achievement Award:

This award recognizes an individual whose exceptional achievements have enhanced mission completioin and minimized mishaps. The individual must have displayed skill and ingenuity beyond that usually expected with similar training and experience. The individual may be selected for superior performance or a one-time act in enhancing mission completion or minimizing mishaps.

Ellsworth’s winners include:

Tech. Sgt. Charles Abt

“Sgt. Abt has been instrumental in reducing the number of bird and wildlife strikes by aircraft on this base. This not only saved lives but also millions of dollars in aircraft damages. His initiatives and efforts in flight safety will be felt for many years on this base.”

— Col. Shrum