"And the award goes to... " - The 349th Annual Awards Banquet brings out community leaders, wing members, families and friends to honor our own

  • Published
  • By Capt. Robin M. Jackson
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It was the occasion of the year for the members of the 349th Air Mobility Wing; the night where the wing members are recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the wing mission. It was the Annual Awards Banquet. 
 
More than 200 community leaders, wing members, their families and friends came together to celebrate the daily endeavors of wing members that were there to be honored. The honorees began their evening in a reception with wing leadership, their family members and Major General Eric Crabtree, 4th Air Force commander, was the guest speaker for the evening's events.

The evening began with a social hour for the guests to take a moment and enjoy the time to converse followed by the arrival of the official party through the stunning archway of saber swords. The evening continued filling the room with fun and intrigue as the winning names were ushered into the ballroom in locked cases to the theme of Mission Impossible. The guests enjoy the fun-filled evening full of suspense and military ceremony.

The award recipients were anxious and the audience too wanted to hear the winners declared. They announced the newest category first.

This is the first year in the history of the wing annual awards that we were privileged to acknowledge our 349th civilian employees. The first winner of this award went to a mainstay in our wing; a person that is always helpful and holds the Air Force core values close to her heart and she keeps the wing staff headed in the right direction. The Civilian of the Year was awarded to Mrs. Jill Johnson, 349th Air Mobility Wing.

"It is truly an honor to be named the 349th Air Mobility Wing 'Civilian of the Year for 2009.' When I look around our wing and see so many deserving and skilled civilians who work so hard to insure our Reserve mission is completed in an outstanding manner, I am really humbled. This award would not be possible without the daily support I receive from so many of you," Ms. Johnson said. "I am very happy that our civilians are being recognized for their contributions to our mission and I feel very privileged to have been the first civilian recipient."

The Company Grade Officer of the year was given to Capt Susan Labrecque, 349th Air Mobility Wing; the First Sergeant of the Year went to Master Sergeant William Clark, 349th Security Forces Squadron; the Senior Noncommisioned Officer of the Year went to Senior Master Sergeant Steven West, 349th Security Forces Squadron; the Noncommisioned Officer of the Year went to Staff Sergeant Eric Nehls, 349th Operations Group; and last but not least, the Airman of the Year went to Senior Airman Keola Baclayon, 749th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.