Ellsworth honors maintenance professionals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen, family members and base leaders attended a banquet in the Pride Hangar March 21, to recognize base maintenance professionals for their hard work, accomplishments and dedication.

During the 2013 Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet, 28 Airmen assigned to the 28th Maintenance Group were recognized for their exceptional contributions to mission readiness.

Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration assistant chief of staff, was the keynote speaker at the event and lauded all the base maintainers for their service.

"Today, all across our nation, young American servicemembers are tucking their children into bed, having dinner with their spouses and visiting their families," Harencak said. "They're alive tonight because of your direct efforts. That's what this is about - and tonight is about honoring that."

Col. Brooks McFarland, 28th MXG commander, echoed the general's comments and also presented awards to his top performers.

"It makes me proud to see these Airmen recognized," said McFarland, who has been at the 28th MXG helm since June 2013. "I'm proud to be part of and lead such a professional, world class organization. Our maintainers generate the airpower for our nation that no one else in the world can do. The long range strike capabilities that the B-1 brings to the fight can only be delivered off the backs of many maintainers putting in a lot of hours to generate those sorties."

McFarland added that the Airmen who were recognized are the best at what they do. He urged them to continue to sharpen their skills and pass their knowledge on to the next generation of maintainers.

The colonel added that Airmen are the first and last line of defense for our families and our way of life.

"There will never be a time when the standards and excellence that our Airmen set and demand from each other will ever not be needed by this great Air Force," Harencak said. "Don't ever forget that the greatest weapon system that the Air Force owns doesn't come with a tail number - it comes with a Social Security number. Airmen are the greatest weapon system that the world has ever known."

Following are the 2013 Maintenance Professionals of the Year award winners:

For the Lance P. Sijan Award
Junior Enlisted: Master Sgt. Brandon Peterson, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Senior Enlisted: Senior Master Sgt. David York, 28th Munitions Squadron
Company Grade Officer: Capt. Cassandra Cowher, 28th MUNS

General Lew Allen Jr. Award
Senior Enlisted: Master Sgt. Russel Johnson, 28th AMXS
Company Grade Officer: Capt. Joshua Allen, 28th Maintenance Squadron

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Aircraft Maintenance Award
Technician category: Senior Airman Troy Billard, 28th MUNS
Technician Supervisor category: Staff Sgt. Thomas Juno, 28th AMXS
Supervisor Manager category: Senior Master Sgt. Craig Tocci, 28th AMXS
Company Grade Manager category: Capt. Riley Hesterman, 28th AMXS
Field Grade Officer Manager category: Maj. Jacob Sullivan, 28th AMXS

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Munitions and Missile Maintenance Award
Technician category: Senior Airman Jacob Cooke, 28th AMXS
Technician supervisor category: Staff Sgt. Justin Bergen, 28th MUNS
Supervisor Manager category: Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Shaver, 28th AMXS
Company Grade Officer category: Capt. Cassandra Cowher, 28th MUNS

Weapons Load Crew of the Year
Staff Sgt. Brain Arborgast, 37th Aircraft Maintenance Unit
Staff Sgt. Clayton Moore, 37th AMU
Senior Airman Joshua Walker, 37th AMU
Senior Airman Aaron Webb, 37th AMU

Training Manager of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Ladonna Lattimore, 28th AMXS

Maintenance Instructor of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Herman Mejia, 28th MXG

Maintenance Scheduler of the Year
Airman category: Senior Airman Jennifer Robles, 28th MXG
NCO category: Tech. Sgt. George Bank, 28th MXG

Maintenance Analyst of the Year
Staff Sgt. Garrion Eidal, 28th MXG

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Award for the Dedicated Crew Chief of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Ryan Walker, 28th AMXS

Master Sgt. Paul J. Leonard Maintenance Professional of the Year
Airman category: Senior Airman Justin Hollis, 28th AMXS
NCO category: Tech. Sgt. Ashley Youngblood, 28th MXS
Senior NCO category: Master Sgt. Galen Scoble, 28th MXS
Company Grade Officer category: Capt. Riley Hestermann, 28th AMXS