AFOTEC honors 2008 annual award winners

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Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. --  More than 65 Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center members were recognized during the March 26, 2009 AFOTEC Annual Awards Banquet that honored the outstanding performers for 2008.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez (retired) was the guest speaker for the event. General Marquez retired in 1987 after a 33-year career in the Air Force. Throughout his Air Force career, General Marquez lauded front line maintainers, fully believing that they were the key to mission accomplishment. The award that carries his name is presented to maintainers who have demonstrated the highest degree of sustained job performance, job knowledge, job efficiency, and results in the categories of aircraft, munitions/missile and communications-electronics maintenance.

General Marquez spoke of his time in service and recalled signing the order to create maintenance occupational badges and the challenge to obtain final approval. He also spoke of the necessity of AFOTEC's mission to ensure fielded weapons systems are reliable and maintainable.

General Marquez, who was born and raised in New Mexico and currently resides in Albuquerque, has been a leading advocate for Kirtland AFB and is an Executive Committee member with the Kirtland Partnership Committee.

AFOTEC's Commander Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant and AFOTEC's Chief Enlisted Manager CMSgt. Kelly Branscom, presented General Marquez a donation to the Air Force Aid Society in his name in appreciation for attending and speaking at the awards banquet.

According to General Sargeant, "many of the same principles taught today under Air Force Smart Operations 21 were promoted by General Marquez more than 20 years ago.

General Sargeant went on to say that, "last year presented a myriad of challenges, as well as opportunities for AFOTEC, and you met them all with great success. However, never lose sight of the fact that it was the collective work of all of our personnel who enabled AFOTEC to deliver positive results for our Air Force,"

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:

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

NDIA/AFOTEC Tester of the Year (civilian category) - Mr. Douglas Jaeger, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

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

NDIA Achievement Award, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict (AFOTEC winner) - Mr. Douglas Jaeger, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

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

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

Air Force Association Test and Evaluation Team of the Year, Howard Leaf Award (AFOTEC 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. David Rose, Lt. Col. Daniel Runyon, Maj. Doug Asher, Maj. Kim Campbell, Maj. Alan Hanks, Maj. Phong Nguyen, Maj. Jill Parker, 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. Peggy Wisdom.

AFA Aerospace Award Citation of Honor (AFOTEC winner) - AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

AFA Theodore Von Karman Award (nominee) - AFOTEC

AFA Verne Orr Award (AFOTEC winner) - AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFA Outstanding Civilian Employees Award/AFOTEC Civilian Senior Program Manager of the Year - Mr. David Tracy, Headquarters AFOTEC Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFA Outstanding Civilian Employees Award/AFOTEC Civilian Program Manager of the Year - Mr. Michael Fasano, AFOTEC Detachment 6, F-35 Joint Test Team, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFA Outstanding Civilian Employees Award/AFOTEC Civilian Program Specialist of the Year - Mr. Douglas Jaeger, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFA Professional and Civilian Awards, Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award (AFOTEC winner) - Mrs. Maida M. Ruaza-Malby.

AFA David C. Schilling Award (AFOTEC winner) - CV-22 Operational Test Team, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif. Team members are: Lt. Col. Percy Dunagin, Lt. Col. Michael Hargis, Maj. Matthew Fritz, Maj. John Plummer, Maj. Jason Tellez, Capt. Jason Sumner, Capt. Jonathan Gilliard, Capt. Steve Nunes, 1st Lt. Steve Lizzol, 2nd Lt. Whitman Dailey, 2nd Lt. Joshua Schneider, MSgt. Sandy McCray, TSgt. Shannon Smith, and Mr. Douglas Jaeger.

AFOTEC Commander's Award for Outstanding Support - Col. James Eck, Director of Operations, Headquarters AFOTEC, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

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

Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Association Vanguard Award - MSgt. Anthony Miller, AFOTEC Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla.

Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship (AFOTEC winner) - Mr. Stuart Butts, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

International Test and Evaluation Association Professional Awards, Major General Richard G. Cross, Jr Award (ITEA winner) - Capt. Susan Bettison, Headquarters AFOTEC Manpower and Personnel Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

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

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC senior officer) - Col. Jimmy Clark, Commander, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

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

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC senior enlisted) - MSgt. Derek Hughes, Headquarters AFOTEC Manpower and Personnel Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (AFOTEC junior enlisted) - TSgt. Mark Scott, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards (AFOTEC aircraft maintenance company grade manager) - Capt. Devin Hartman, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards (AFOTEC aircraft maintenance supervisor/manager) - SMSgt. Regis Ashley, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards (AFOTEC aircraft maintenance technician/supervisor) - TSgt. Shannon Smith, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards (AFOTEC missile/munitions maintenance field grade manager) - Maj. Mark VanderKinter, AFOTEC Detachment 6, F-35 Joint Test Team, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Awards (AFOTEC missile/munitions maintenance supervisor/manager) - MSgt. Jonathan Rittle, AFOTEC Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla.

Gen. John P. Jumper Award (AFOTEC outstanding warfighting integration officer of the year) - Maj. Roberta Nicholson, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Analytic Team of the Year - A-10C Analytic Team, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev. Team members are: Lt. Col. Mark Barrera, Lt. Col. David Rose, Lt. Col. Daniel Runyon, Maj. Doug Asher, Maj. Alan Hanks, Maj. Phong Nguyen, Capt. Brian Foo, Capt. Matthew Hollomon, Capt. Jason Honabarger, Capt. Matthew Wroten, 1st Lt. Jesse Lynn, 1st Lt. Kiel Martin, 1st Lt. Eugene Yoo, 2nd Lt. Christopher Martin, SMSgt. Regis Ashley, MSgt. Wendall Davis, MSgt. Jason Tullo, SSgt. Randall Lamie, Mr. Stuart Butts, Mr. Burtis Spencer, and Mr. Brad Thompson.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Field Grade Analyst of the Year - Lt. Col. David Lyle, AFOTEC Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Company Grade Analyst of the Year - Capt. Amy McLeran, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Analyst Award/AFOTEC Senior Civilian Analyst of the Year - Mr. Stuart Butts, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

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

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Engineer (mid-career military) - Maj. Phong Nguyen, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Engineer (junior military) - Capt. Brian Foo, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Engineer (senior civilian) - Mr. Stuart Butts, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Engineer (mid-career civilian) - Mr. Burtis Spencer, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Science and Engineering Educator - Capt. Susan Bettison, Headquarters AFOTEC Manpower and Personnel Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Scientist (senior civilian) - Mr. Michael Fasano, AFOTEC Detachment 6, F-35 Joint Test Team Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Outstanding Scientist, Engineer, and Educator Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Scientist (junior military) - 1st Lt. Eric Hastings, Headquarters AFOTEC Intelligence, Analyses and Assessments Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Communication and Information Assurance Team of the Year - Information Assurance Division, Headquarters AFOTEC Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Team members are: Maj. Michael Maes, Capt. Jason Burkard, SMSgt. Brian Malby, MSgt. Martin Sorensen, MSgt. Alice Schmidt, TSgt. Alexander Isla, SSgt. Justin Schoenthal, Ms. Celia Ojeda, and Mr. James Hoag.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Information Assurance Program Manager of the Year - Capt. Jamal Quinnert, AFOTEC Detachment 3, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

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. Carlos Jayme, Headquarters AFOTEC, Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

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

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

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year (3C) - SMSgt. Brian Malby, Headquarters AFOTEC, Communications and Information Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding NCO of the Year (3C) - TSgt. Sean Cook, AFOTEC Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla.

Air Force Communication and Information Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year (2E) - MSgt. Jesse Humberd, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Operating Location at Buckley AFB, Colo.

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

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

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

Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Field Grade Intelligence Officer of the Year - Maj. Daria Zalewska, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.

Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards/AFOTEC Major General John S. Patton Outstanding Active Duty Officer of the Year - Capt. Robert Martin, Headquarters AFOTEC, Intelligence, Analyses and Assessments Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Active Duty NCO of the Year - TSgt. Adrian Hernandez, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Senior Level Civilian of the Year - Ms. Susana Smith, Headquarters AFOTEC, Intelligence, Analyses and Assessments Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

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

Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Civilian Contributor of the Year - Mr. Paul Mortaloni, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Education and Training Manager of the Year (unit level) - MSgt. James Mills, Jr., AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Personnel Manager of the Year (headquarters level) - TSgt. Vicki James, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower and Personnel Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Mission Support Awards/AFOTEC Personnel Manager of the Year (unit level) - TSgt. Tracey Dawley, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Air Force Financial Management Awards/AFOTEC Resource Advisor of the Year - Ms. Teresa Morrison, Headquarters AFOTEC, Manpower and Personnel Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Financial Management Awards/AFOTEC Outstanding Contribution to Financial Management and Comptroller - Capt. James Cunningham, Headquarters AFOTEC, Installations and Mission Support Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Bioenvironmental Engineer Award/AFOTEC Outstanding Staff Officer Bioenvironmental Engineering Technician of the Year - MSgt. John Crane, Headquarters AFOTEC, Safety Office, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

Air Force Safety Awards, Safety Award of Merit (AFOTEC winner) - Capt. Kevin Kulz, Headquarters AFOTEC, Directorate of Operations, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Field Grade Officer of the Year - Maj. Elizabeth Benedict, AFOTEC Detachment 3, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt. Francisco Perez de Armas, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Senior NCO of the Year - SMSgt. Marcel Balaoro, Headquarters AFOTEC, Directorate of Operations, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC NCO of the Year - TSgt. Mark Scott, AFOTEC Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, Colo.

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Category I Civilian of the Year - Ms. Debra Barrett, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Operating Location at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

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

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

AFOTEC Military and Civilian Annual Award/AFOTEC Category IV Civilian of the Year - Mr. Timoteo Torrez, Headquarters AFOTEC, Directorate of Operations, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

ITEA Professional Awards, Special Achievement Award (AFOTEC winner), - F-22 Operational Test Enhancement Team, AFOTEC Detachment 6, Nellis AFB, Nev. Team members are: Col. Jimmy Clark, Lt. Col. Daniel Runyon, Maj. Douglas Asher, Maj. Wade Bridges, Maj. Alan Edwards, Maj. Alan Hanks, Maj. Phong Nguyen, Maj. Daria Zalewska, 1st Lt. Kiel Martin, 1st Lt. Eugene Yoo, SMSgt. Regis Ashley, MSgt. Wendell Davis, MSgt. Jason Tullo, Ms. Alma Alanis, and Mr. Stuart Butts.

ITEA Professional Awards, Special Achievement Award (AFOTEC winner) - Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Test Team, AFOTEC Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla. Team members are: Lt. Col. Dave Lyle, Capt. Erin Kelly, 1st Lt. Jeremy Homan, MSgt. Jim Williamson, Mr. John Faris, Mr. Paul LaPorta, and Ms. Gail Mitchell.

Air Force Safety Awards, Secretary of the Air Force Safety (AFOTEC winner) - Headquarters AFOTEC Safety Office. Team members are: Mr. Roderick Earl, Lt. Col. Mark Buerkle, Maj. Korey Vaughan, MSgt. John Crane, Ms. Deborah Kelley, Mr. Scott Smith, Ms. Terri Roy, and Mr. Gerald Simnacher.

Air Force Safety Awards, Colonel Will L. Tubbs Memorial Award for Ground Safety (AFOTEC winner) - Headquarters AFOTEC Safety Office. Team members are: Mr. Roderick Earl, Lt. Col. Mark Buerkle, Maj. Korey Vaughan, MSgt. John Crane, Ms. Deborah Kelley, Mr. Scott Smith, Ms. Terri Roy, and Mr. Gerald Simnacher.

Air Force Weather Awards, Weather Team of the Year (AFOTEC winner) - Headquarters AFOTEC Staff Meteorology Division, Intelligence, Analyses and Assessments Directorate. Team members are: Maj. Paul Lucyk, Capt. Daniel Pagliaro, and Mr. Keith Forman.

Air Force Electronic Warfare Annual Awards, Level One Team of the Year (AFOTEC winner) - Electronic Warfare Division, AFOTEC Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla. Team members are: Lt. Col. Arcadio Alaniz, Lt. Col. Tim Coger, Lt. Col. Chris Connelly, Lt. Col. Carlton McGuire, Lt. Col. Rob Rhinehart, Maj. Dion Carrieri, Maj. Gerri Kail, Maj. Ben Tabor, Maj. Bruce Valerius, Maj. Lynda Wilson, Capt. John Fann, Capt. Carlos Salas, Capt. Ken Thill, Capt. Josh Tucker, and MSgt. Terry Knobel.

Air Force Modeling and Simulation Awards, Test and Evaluation Team of the Year (AFOTEC and Air Force winner) - CV-22 Operational Test Team, AFOTEC Detachment 5, Edwards AFB, Calif. Team members are: Lt. Col. Percy Dunagin, Lt. Col. Michael Hargis, Maj. Matthew Fritz, Maj. John Plummer, Maj. Jason Tellez, Capt. Jonathan Gilliard, Capt. Steve Nunes, Capt. Jason Sumner, 1st Lt. Whitman Dailey, 1st Lt. Steve Lizzol, 1st Lt. Joshua Schneider, MSgt. Sandy McCray, TSgt. Shannon Smith, and Mr. Douglas Jaeger.