482nd MXG announces dedicated crew chiefs, 2007 award winners

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The 482nd Maintenance Group held its second annual awards ceremony to recognize the maintenance professionals who ensure the airworthiness of the F-16 fighter jets assigned to Homestead Air Reserve Base on Feb. 10.

Hundreds of people attended the ceremony that featured the appointment of dedicated crew chiefs, announced the maintenance professionals of the year award recipients, and recognized all maintainers and support personnel who keep the F-16 at top performance. Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Coon, 10th Air Force commander, attended the ceremony, and City of Homestead Councilwoman Judy Waldman offered a speech. Scholarships were also awarded to deserving Airmen.

Col. M.J. Giddings, Jr., 482nd MSG commander, began his speech by welcoming everyone to the ceremony and thanking everyone for their hard work. The Colonel then pointed the audience's attention to a slide stating "the greatest strength of the team is the individual and the greatest strength of the individual is the team."

"Each individual Air Force Specialty Code works as one team to provide safe and reliable aircraft to our flyers," he said.

The ceremony then proceeded with the presentation of the Professional of the Year Awards for 2007, and Colonel Giddings commended all award nominees before announcing the categories.

The 482nd Maintenance Group outstanding performers for 2007:

-Airman Support Professional of the Year: Senior Airman Allan Valladarespena, 482nd MXG

-Airman Maintenance Professional of the Year: Senior Airman Grace Salcedo, 482nd AMXS

-Non-Commissioned Officer Support Professional of the Year: Tech Sgt. Michael S. Clark, 482nd MXG

-Non-Commissioned Officer MX Professional of the Year: Tech Sgt. Juan G. Tejara, 482nd MXS

-Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Support Professional of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Maureen A. Murray, 482nd MSG

-Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Professional of the Year: Master Sgt. Angelo Vazquez 482nd MXS

-Civilian Professional of the Year: Patricia Ortega, 482nd MXG

-Outstanding Support of the Year: 482nd Services Squadron Lodging Office

-Outstanding Section of the Year: 482nd MXS Aerospace Ground Equipment and Munitions Storage Area

-Outstanding Team of the Year: 482nd Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Flight and the 482nd Maintenance Squadron Phase Dock

-Weapons Load Crew: Tech. Sgt. Roberto Muniz, Senior Airman Harris Taylor and Senior Airman James Todd, 482nd AMXS

-Dedicated Crew Chief of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Wilton, 482nd AMXS

-Officer of the Year: Capt. Javier Rodriguez, 482nd AMXS

-Golden Eagle Award (Overall top performer): Senior Master Sgt. Guy Turpen, 482nd AMXS