Wing announces annual award winners Published Feb. 14, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The top Thunderbolts on base were announced Feb. 9 at the Desert Star Club at Luke during the 56th Fighter Wing 2007 Annual Awards banquet. "This is a chance for us to recognize the hard work of all of our Airmen at Luke," said Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th FW commander. "Whether enlisted, officer or civilian employee, it's important we acknowledge their dedication and contribution to the Luke mission." Before the winners were announced, attendees were treated to a meal, a ceremony honoring fallen Airmen and they then witnessed a video produced by the public affairs office's multimedia section, which was a rendition of the Airman's Creed video, featuring the award nominees. "The Airman's Creed video was a perfect example of the caliber of Airman we have here at Luke," said Chief Master Sgt. Mitch Stippel, 56th FW command chief, "not only of the professional Airmen in the video, but of the quality of our Airmen who produced the video. I extend a huge thanks to our public affairs videographers for a great effort." Of the more than 60 competitors, 13 were selected as the top in their respective categories. The Airmen, NCOs and senior NCOs will go on to represent the wing at the Nineteenth Air Force annual awards competition. Winners from there will go on to compete at the Air Education and Training Command competition and eventually vie to be named one of the Air Force's Twelve Outstanding Airmen. Overall, the chief said the event was enjoyed by all who attended. "This world-class event could not have been pulled off without the enormous effort from the First Sergeant's Council coordinating all facets and each of Luke's professional organizations contributing," the chief said. The winners are: Airman Senior Airman Miranda Kelewood 56th Fighter Wing Senior Airman Miranda Kelewood is a paralegal at the 56th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate's office. As the civil law paralegal, Airman Kelewood successfully managed 125 Article 15 cases, completing them in an average of 12 days, eight days below the Air Force standard. Among other things, she was named the John L. Levitow Award recipient for her Airman Leadership School class. She also briefed more than 360 members on proper claims procedures, receiving the most written survey comments on the legal staff. Lastly, Airman Kelewood was cited for her role as the wing staff agency representative for the Combined Federal Campaign, where she led the charge to raise more than $2,000 for charitable organizations. NCO Staff Sgt. Jose Negron 56th Fighter Wing As the NCO-in-charge of wing exercise and evaluations, Staff Sgt. Jose Negron was recognized for his role not only in the inspector general's office, but also while working as an avionics specialist. During that time, he repaired more than 150 jets, enabling the wing to fly its nearly 30,000 sorties in 2007. At the IG office, he established the ground-burst-simulator training for the exercise evaluation team, greatly adding to the realism of base exercises. Sergeant Negron has also been active on base, coaching and playing on the base soccer team, leading them to a 17-1 season in 2007. Senior NCO Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs 56th Operations Support Squadron Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs is the superintendent of host aviation resource management. He was recognized several times in 2007 to include being the operations group nominee for the Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award. Through the course of the year, he managed more than 450 flight records and a $1 million flying program. He was selected to attend the Air Education and Training Command symposium to share experiences with others from across the command. In his off-duty time, Sergeant Grengs stays busy as the vice president of the local Air Force Sergeants Association chapter and secretary of the Luke Top 3 organization. First sergeant Master Sgt. Richard LaPage Jr. 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron In 2007, Master Sgt. Richard LaPage Jr. ensured the consistent discipline and commander counsel to more than 650 Airmen in three aircraft maintenance units. As president of the first sergeants' council, he provided leadership to 22 first sergeants and was the wing's spokesman at the 2007 Air Force First Sergeants conference. Off duty, Sergeant LaPage set the example by completing his second Community College of the Air Force degree while attending other courses to assist in his helping his Airmen in his squadron through family advocacy-based programs. He also helped the Officers Spouses Club's holiday cookie drive to 647 dorm residents and guided the First Sergeant Golf Tournament earning $2,000 for Airmen's programs. Honor Guardsman Airman 1st Class Brock Atchley 56th Operations Support Squadron In 2007, Airman 1st Class Brock Atchley managed a $50,000 government purchase card program and ensured on-time equipment for 63 members. He was awarded the Honor Guard Program Manager of the quarter for the second quarter of 2007. He worked 136 off-duty hours performing non-funeral area ceremonies. During this time, he has been pursuing his bachelor's degree and was selected to brief various distinguished visitors on the role of the base honor guard. Honor Guard program manager Staff Sgt. Sarena Paulson 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron As the honor guard program manager of the year, Staff Sgt. Sarena Paulson performed 83 funerals and civic ceremonies. She was cited for her reliability and was hand picked to assume NCO-in-charge duties for 57 details. She constantly rose above her peers, leading her to being named honor guard Guardsman of the Quarter from April to June 2007. Company grade officer Capt. Patrick Ragan 61st Fighter Squadron Capt. Patrick Ragan is an F-16 flight examiner in the 61st Fighter Squadron. In the last year, he volunteered for and successfully completed a six-month deployment to Afghanistan where he was the linchpin to success of more than 40,000 NATO forces from 39 countries at Bagram, Afghanistan. Back home, he successfully graduated 11 students, one distinguished graduate and garnered multiple flying awards. As an ambassador to Luke, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, aiding nine families in some of Phoenix's most needy areas. Field grade officer Maj. Douglas Swift 56th Civil Engineer Squadron As commander of the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron's Operations Flight, Maj. Douglas Swift directly led 211 personnel in the maintenance of more than 1,000 facilities covering 2.7 million acres at six different sites. He led AETC's best energy conservation effort by reducing consumption by 36 percent. He also led his unit to 100-percent on-time upgrades and a 99-percent career development course pass rate. Lastly, Major Swift was the mission support group's lead for the 2007 Retiree Appreciation Day and the civil engineer lead for the 2007 Luke Days air show, showing off the base to more than 300,000 people. Instructor Pilot - CGO Capt. Yosef Morris 56th Training Squadron Capt. Yosef Morris is the 310th Fighter Squadron flying course manager and an instructor pilot. In the last year, he was named the 310th FS, 56th Operations Group IP of the quarter and 310th FS instructor pilot of the year, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average toward his Master's in Business Administration. He also was one of three instructor pilots selected to develop a forward air controller program at the 80th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Lastly, Captain Morris selflessly volunteered at an orphanage in Korea, was his squadron's Combined Federal Campaign representative and hosted learning-disabled kids from a local school district. Instructor pilot - FGO Maj. Daniel Munter 56th Training Squadron Maj. Daniel Munter is an instructor pilot in the 56th Training Squadron. During 2007 he led the effort to develop the new Raptor lead-in training, the first program of its kind where future F-22 pilots go through a five week course at Luke to prepare them for the rigors of a jet with the capabilities of the Raptor. He also was requested by-name by the 57th Adversary Tactic Group Commander to be a liaison to a Brazilian air force F-5 squadron during a Red Flag exercise. Lastly, Major Munter completed several courses to include mission commander and supervisor of flying upgrade training, as well has the Air Command and Staff College online master's degree program. Civilian Cat. 1 William Payseno 56th Maintenance Operations Squadron Mr. William Payseno is the base engine manager at the 56th Maintenance Operations Squadron. He directly manages more than 175 engines for Luke's F-16s. During the year, he managed more than 15,000 engine time change items, raising the average life expectancy of 177 engines to more than 120 hours per aircraft. He also energized the concept of reliability-centered maintenance, slashing engine removals per 1,000 flying hours by 1.25 percent, saving the Air Force $208 million. As the manager of the thrust on base, he led his shop to prepare 116 engines - an increase of 32 percent over 2006. He also sponsored 18 families through the Adopt-a-Family program and donated more than $2,000 to families and children. Civilian Cat. 2 Jeffrey Green 56th Operations Support Squadron As an air traffic control watch supervisor, Mr. Jeffrey Green applies Federal Aviation Administration, Air Force and local regulations in AETC's second busiest air traffic control tower. He directed the recovery of more than 30 Marine F/A-18 aircraft during the evacuation of MCAS Miramar, Calif. During the year, he handled 42 in-flight emergencies, ensuring all crews landed safely and directed air traffic control operations during the 2007 Luke Days Air show, integrating 42 dissimilar aircraft into a congested traffic pattern. When he's not at Luke, Mr. Green stays busy with holiday charities and works with local youth in martial arts competitions. Civilian Cat. 3 Gregory Daniels 56th Training Squadron Mr. Gregory Daniels works as an instructional systems specialist in the 56th Training Squadron. There, he provides liaison between a civilian contractor and the U.S. Government as the F-16 Weapons System Support Contractor Project Officer. In the last year, he discovered training devices and academic instruction overages, and deobligated the government of more than $180,000 in taxpayer money. He also developed three benchmarks in the contract workload estimate program; he developed a quality assurance surveillance plan and wrote security programs for exchange officers. He also donated his time to serve more than 200 military and civilian personnel at the dining facility's Thanksgiving meal.