AFOTEC honors 2009 annual award winners

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Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. --  More than 185 Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center members were recognized during the March 12, 2010 AFOTEC Annual Awards Banquet that honored the outstanding performers for 2009.

Maj. Gen. Michael D. Hall (retired) was the guest speaker for the event. General Hall retired in 1989 after a 32-year career in the Air Force that included his tenure as the AFOTEC Commander from 1985 to 1987. General Hall's final assignment was as the director of strategic, special operations forces and airlift programs with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition in Washington, D.C.

AFOTEC's Commander Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant and AFOTEC's Chief Enlisted Manager CMSgt. Kelly Branscom, presented General Hall a donation to the Wounded Warrior Foundation in his name in appreciation for attending and speaking at the awards banquet.

"Every day I continue to be impressed by the many accomplishments of the men and women of AFOTEC," said General Sargeant. "We are indeed fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated group of Airmen - military and civilian - supported by our contractor subject matter experts."

The following AFOTEC team members were recognized for their commitment to excellence and outstanding contributions to the AFOTEC core mission of operational test and evaluation for the U.S. Air Force:

International Test and Evaluation Association Professional Awards/Major General Richard G. Cross, Jr., Award (AFOTEC winner) - Mr. Daniel Telford, Headquarters AFOTEC, Intelligence, Analysis & Assessments Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

ITEA Professional Awards/Allen R. Matthews Award (AFOTEC honoree) - Mr. Stuart Butts, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

ITEA Special Achievement Award (AFOTEC special achievement winner) - A-10C Precision Engagement Operational Test Team, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev. Team members are: Col. Jimmy Clark, Lt. Col. Mark Barrera; Lt. Col. Andrew English; Lt. Col. Daniel Runyon; Maj. Douglas Asher; Maj. Kim Campbell; Maj. Alan Hanks; Maj. Phong Nguyen; Maj. Jill Parker; Maj. Nicolas Schindeler; Maj. Daria Zalewska; Capt. Brian Foo; 1st Lt. Kiel Martin; 1st Lt. Eugene Yoo; SMSgt. Regis Ashley; MSgt. Wendell Davis; MSgt. Jason Tullo; Ms. Alma Alanis; Mr. Stuart Butts; Mr. Scott Galles; Mr. Andrew Pepin; Mr. Burtis Spencer; Mr. Brad Thompson; and Ms. Margret Wisdom.

ITEA Special Achievement Award (AFOTEC special achievement winner) - Space Operational Test and Evaluation Team, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Calif.

ITEA Special Achievement Award (AFOTEC technical achievement winner) - Joint Strike Fighter VSim Operational Test Requirement Team, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

ITEA Special Achievement Award (AFOTEC technical achievement winner) - CV-22 Operational Test Team, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif. Team members are: Lt. Col. Matthew Fritz; Maj. John Plummer; Capt. Jason Sumner; Capt. Steve Nunes; Capt. Whitman Daily; SMSgt. Sandy McCray; TSgt. Shannon Smith; and Mr. Douglas Jaeger.

National Defense Industrial Association Air Force Military Tester of the Year (officer category) - Lt. Col. Alan Edwards, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

NDIA/AFOTEC Tester of the Year (civilian category) - Mr. Burtis Spencer, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

NDIA/AFOTEC Tester of the Year (contractor category) - Mr. Mark Phipps, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

NDIA Achievement Award/Rear Adm. Robert H. Gormley Award for Leadership - Col. Jimmy Clark (retired), former Commander, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

NDIA Achievement Award/Combat Survivability Award for Technical Achievement - Mr. Stuart Butts, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Defense Acquisition Excellence Certificate of Achievement (AFOTEC Executive Staff) - Maj. Gen. Stephen Sargeant; Col. Regis Baldauff; Col. Thomas Bell; Col. Robert Campbell; Col. Jimmy Clark; Col. Dave Cohen; Col. Paul Daly; Col. James Eck; Col. David Gould; Col. Robert Mulheran; Col. John Pearson; Col. Edgar Vaughan; Lt. Col. Derek Abeyta; Lt. Col. Randee Kaiser; CMSgt. Kelly Branscom; Mr. Mike Dieckhoff; and Mr. Jeffrey Olinger.

Air Force Safety/Col Will L. Tubbs Memorial Award (Category II) - AFOTEC.

Air Force Association Test and Evaluation Team of the Year/Howard Leaf Award (AFOTEC winner) - C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program Team, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif. Team members are: Lt. Col. Robert Griffith; Maj. David Garner; Capt. Frederick Beck; Capt. Javier Escobar; Capt. Douglas Grafel; Capt. Stan Hashimoto; Capt. Lewis Johnson; Capt. Francisco Perez De Armas; Capt. Frankie Woods; 1st Lt. John Situ; 2nd Lt. Adam Craig; SMSgt. Eric An; MSgt. Charles Scott; MSgt. Gregory Williams; TSgt. Willis Blevins; SSgt. Nathan Taylor; Mr. Robert Murphy; Mrs. Sydney Palmsteen; Mr. Marcelo Paz; Mr. Mark Stanland; Mr. Michael Whelan; and Mr. Jeff Wilson.

AFA Aerospace Award Citation of Honor (AFOTEC winner) - AFOTEC

AFA Theodore Von Karman Award (nominee) - AFOTEC

AFA Verne Orr Award (AFOTEC winner) - AFOTEC

AFA Outstanding Civilian Employees Award/AFOTEC Civilian Senior Program Manager of the Year - Mr. Jeffrey Olinger, Headquarters AFOTEC Technical Advisor, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFA Outstanding Civilian Employees Award/AFOTEC Civilian Program Manager of the Year - Mr. James Winters, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

AFA Outstanding Civilian Employees Award/AFOTEC Civilian Program Specialist of the Year - Ms. Diana Keeler, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

AFA David C. Schilling Award (AFOTEC winner) - AFOTEC Detachment 5

John J. Welch, Jr., Award for Excellence in Acquisition Leadership (AFOTEC winner) - F-35 Early Influence Team. Team members are: Col. Jimmy Clark; Col. Gary Cooper; Lt. Col. Daniel Runyon; Maj. Laurie Albarino; Maj. Eric Harten; Maj. Joseph Pankey; Maj. Marco Parzych; Maj. Stephen Sturm; Maj. Mark Vanderkinter; Capt. Jeffrey Oltmanns; Capt. Kevin Tanner; SMSgt. Stan Frazier; MSgt. Jason Tullo; Mr. Stuart Butts; Mr. Mark Chace; Mr. Michael Fasano; Mr. Ronald Gustafson; and Ms. Ramona Torres.

AFDW Colonel Joseph B. Duckworth Annual Instrumental Award (AFOTEC nominee) - AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC senior officer) - Lt. Col. Alan Edwards, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC junior officer) - Capt. Jeff Steinbrink, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC senior enlisted) - SMSgt. Tony Turner, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC junior enlisted) - TSgt. Leroy Burke, Headquarters AFOTEC, Commander's Action Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards/AFOTEC Aircraft Maintenance Company Grade Manager - Capt. Jeffrey Westerman, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards/AFOTEC Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor/Manager - MSgt. Jason Tullo, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards/AFOTEC Aircraft Maintenance Technician/Supervisor - TSgt. Willis Blevins, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Gen. John P. Jumper Award/AFOTEC Outstanding Warfighting Integration Officer of the Year - Maj. Christopher Rudd, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Gen. John P. Jumper Award/AFOTEC Outstanding Warfighting Integration Civilian of the Year - Mr. Richard Antinora, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship (AFOTEC winner) - Col. Gary Cooper, Commander, AFOTEC Detachment 1, Edwards AFB, Calif.

61st Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award/Applied Science, Engineering and Mathematics (AFOTEC nominee) - Mr. Burtis Spencer, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

61st Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award/Managerial or Legal Achievement (AFOTEC nominee) - Mr. James Winters, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Modeling and Simulation Award/Air Force Modeling and Simulation Test and Evaluation Team of the Year (AFOTEC winner) - Modeling and Simulation Test and Evaluation Team Bomber Suitability Operational Test Team, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif. Test team members are: Maj. Christopher Rudd; Capt. Michael Coleman; Capt. Logan Mailloux; Capt. David Montminy; TSgt. Guillermo Herrera; TSgt. Joseph Wallis; SSgt. Zachary Dickinson; Mr. Dan Telford; and Mr. James Worden.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Analytic Team of the Year - Space Based Infrared System Team, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo. Team members are: Lt. Col. John Schoot; Maj. Matthew Joy; Capt. Delfin Dela Cruz; Capt. Jason Hamilton; Capt. Bryan Hoke; Capt. Shannon Hunt; Capt. Nathan Loyd; Capt. Richard Malerba; Capt. Amy McLeran; Capt. Jeffrey Mueller; Capt. Russell Putney; Capt. Kelly Pilarczyk; Capt. Jeffrey Roberson; 1st Lt. Peter Furseth; 1st Lt. Seth Wahenman; MSgt. Wayne Bailey; MSgt. Lawrence Bercel; MSgt. Jesse Humberd; MSgt. Jason Lopez; MSgt. James Mills; MSgt. Eric Parrott; MSgt. Richard Sharkey; SSgt. Aaron Frigaard; and SSgt. Matthew Lee.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Field Grade Analyst of the Year - Maj. Peter Toves, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Company Grade Analyst of the Year - 1st Lt. Peter Furseth, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Senior Civilian Analyst of the Year - Mr. James Worden, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Junior Civilian Analyst of the Year - Ms. Margret Wisdom, Headquarters AFOTEC, Intelligence, Analyses and Assessments Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Acquisition Transformation and Leadership Award/Outstanding Air Force Acquisition Military Staff Officer Award (AFOTEC nominee) - Maj. Kirk Bigger, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Acquisition Transformation and Leadership Award/Outstanding Air Force Project Manager Award (AFOTEC nominee) - Capt. Thomas Wegner, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Acquisition Transformation and Leadership Award/Outstanding Air Force Acquisition Civilian Staff Officer Award (AFOTEC nominee) - Mr. Richard Antinora, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Award/AFOTEC Outstanding Officer Intelligence Contributor of the Year - Maj. Summer A. Clovis, Headquarters AFOTEC, Intelligence, Analyses and Assessments Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Safety Award/AFOTEC Safety Award of Merit - Maj. Christopher Rudd, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Information Assurance Team of the Year - Information Assurance Team, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo. Team members are: Capt. Richard Malerba; Capt. Kelly Pilarczyk; Capt. Troy Shettlesworth; Capt. Donald Tinsley; 1st Lt. Jaclyn Carman; and MSgt. Eric Parrott.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Information Assurance Program Manager of the Year - Capt. Richard Malerba, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year - Maj. Michael Maes, Headquarters AFOTEC, Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt. Kelly Pilarczyk, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year (3A) - SMSgt. Miles Harvey, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding NCO of the Year (3A) - TSgt. Scott Miller, Headquarters AFOTEC, Commander's Action Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year (3C) - MSgt. Mark Scott, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding NCO of the Year (3C) - TSgt. Randal Thomas, Headquarters AFOTEC, Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year (2E) - MSgt. Mark MacDonough, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding NCO of the Year (2E) - TSgt. Shane Smart, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Civilian Assistant Specialist of the Year - Ms. Sandra H. Phillips, Headquarters AFOTEC, Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Award/AFOTEC Personnel/Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year (installation level) - MSgt. Tracey Dawley, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Force Support/Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year (operational level) - MSgt. Marc Schnittke, Jr., Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Force Support/Noncommissioned Officer of the Year (operational level) - SSgt. Tamacia Anderson, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Force Support Senior Manager of the Year (operational level) - Mr. Gerald Trujillo, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Force Support Civilian Specialist of the Year (operational level) - Ms. Liza Ojeda-Agushi, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/Air Force Education and Training/AFOTEC Dr. Peterson Education and Training Manager Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - MSgt. Melissa Edwards, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/Air Force Education and Training/AFOTEC Dr. Peterson Education and Training Manager Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - TSgt. Jerry Scott, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/Air Force Education and Training/AFOTEC Education and Training Manager Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - MSgt. James K. Mills, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/Air Force Education and Training/AFOTEC Education and Training Manager Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - TSgt. Lange Payne, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFOTEC Commander's Award for Outstanding Support - Col. John Pearson, former Vice Commander, Headquarters AFOTEC, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Commander's Award for Outstanding Execution - Col. Paul Daly, Commander, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Field Grade Officer of the Year - Maj. Eduardo Meidunas, Headquarters AFOTEC, Commander's Action Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt. Javier Escobar, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Senior NCO of the Year - SMSgt. Daniel Whitcomb, AFOTEC Detachment 3, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC NCO of the Year - TSgt. Leroy Burke III, Headquarters AFOTEC, Commander's Action Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Category I Civilian of the Year - Ms. Debra Barrett, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Category II Civilian of the Year - Ms. Sandra Lasher, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Category III Civilian of the Year - Ms. Liza Ojeda-Agushi, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower, Personnel and Training Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Category IV Civilian of the Year - Mr. James Worden, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFOTEC is a direct reporting unit under Headquarters, United States Air Force. It is the Air Force independent test agency responsible for testing, under operationally realistic conditions, new systems being developed for Air Force and multi-service use.