News

Team Robins members receive awards

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vann Miller
  • 78 ABW/PA
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  For more than a dozen members of Team Robins, 2009 has proven to be an award-winning year as Air Force Materiel Command announced its A1 (personnel) Functional Award winners, and the 78th Security Forces Squadron announced its nominees to compete at Air Force level.

In the lineup for the awards are members from the Center's Directorate of Personnel, the Equal Opportunity Office and the 78th Forces Support Squadron.

Speaking on behalf of the winners from the personnel, Mary Larralde said the awards merely affirm what she and her staff already knew.

"The DP team produces an incredible amount of good work and each employee is fundamental to Robins and the warfighter," said Larralde.

"In the case of Ken Wallace, he led his education and training team on to win a global, corporate-wide award, competing against such companies as Verizon," she said. "Ken's nomination, along with those for Phyllis Johnson and Ashley Hightower are representative of the high caliber of work done daily in DP. These three employees are dedicated and hard working individuals. They serve as solid role models for all to follow."

She went on to say that "We have a great team. The three (award winners) have all made extremely significant contributions to Robins, AFMC and the Air Force."

In addition to Wallace winning an award for the operational level Senior Manager of the year, Phyllis Johnson won for operational level manager of the year, and the award for operational level technician of the year went to Ashley Hightower of the Air Logistics Center.

Throughout the rest of the base, there were other organizations and individual award winners. Programs recognized for excellence included the bowling center, the 78th FSS marketing and operations programs, and the base restaurant.

One of the most prestigious honors presented was bestowed to another individual here. The Roger M. Blanchard Memorial award, an honor for individual legacy, was presented to Mary Larralde. At the installation level, Team Robins is home to seven other AFMC award winners.

The Force Support Squadron Field Grade Officer of the year is Maj. Ralph Taylor. The education and Training SNCO and NCO of the Year are Senior Master Sgt. Pierre Miles and Staff Sgt. Stevon Douglas, respectively. The Services Airman of the Year is Senior Airman Porsha Cook.

The Professional Military Education NCO of the year is Tech. Sgt. Samuel Orr, Jr. The Sustainment Services flight Technician of the year was Winnie Nailor. And, the Community Services Flight Specialist of the year is Karan Hudgens.

Also, the members of the 78th SFS secured some awards for their merit. Leading the charge at AFMC-level was the Security Forces Company Grade Officer of the Year, Capt. Jonathon Murray. The Security Forces Flight Level Senior NCO is Master Sgt. David Barber. And, the Security Forces Flight level Airmen of the year is Senior Airman Cedric Koonce.

Larralde expressed her appreciation for the accomplishments of each A1 award winner, saying, "Each of us know these awards represent a team effort. And we realize the importance of our people. We cannot do anything without the people."