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115th Fighter Wing Airmen awarded for excellence

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mary Greenwood
  • 115th Fighter Wing

MADISON, Wis. -- Airmen assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing were recognized for their ability to perform above and beyond what is expected of them at the wing’s annual awards ceremony Feb. 5 at Truax field, Madison, Wisconsin.

Military members and civilians alike were acknowledged for unit and state awards they had earned throughout the year.

Jerry hook was recognized for receiving the Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employee of the Year.  Hook’s dedication and expertise made more than $1 million available to service members and their families.

“His counsel was critical to his organization after the tragic loss of two Airmen and he continues to support the families of those Airmen,” said Capt. Roger Roth, the annual awards ceremony emcee.  “Additionally, his dedication to his community and veterans drove him to help raise more than $1 million dollars to erect a veteran’s memorial.”

The men and women of the 115th FW who deployed during the past year were also highlighted.

“This ceremony is a great moment for us to recognize how long and how hard your deployments were,” said Col. Bart Van Roo, the 115th FW commander. “Many of you signed up for a five or six month deployment and it turned into a seven or eight month deployment.”

In addition to those deployed, members were recognized in each of these categories:

  • Airman of the Year is Senior Airman Benjamin Wingers, 115th Mission Support Group.
  • Noncommissioned Officer of the Year is Tech. Sgt. Joline Powell, 115th Force Support Squadron.
  • Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year is Master Sgt. Samantha Burrows, 115th Operations Group.
  • Company Grade Officer of the Year is 2nd Lt. Cory Corson, 115th Civil Engineering.
  • First Sergeant of the Year is Master Sgt. Marta Darrow, 115th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
  • Civilians of the Year are Scott Relitz, Eliamar Trapp and Joseph Grenier.

 “I’ve been listening to the words that have been said, different accomplishments one after another, missions that we’ve never done before, missions that you’ve been doing for decades and everything in between,” said Brig. Gen. David May, the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s deputy adjutant general. “The common thing through all of this is that they were done at the highest possible standard, because that is what this wing is all about.”

To close the ceremony, members of the 115th FW were encouraged to keep up the good work for the following years to come.

“Congratulations to the unit and wing award winners,” said Van Roo. “You’ll recognize that each of these Airmen truly make this a better place to work and I ask you to take that forward into your sections next year as well.”