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KAFB Public Affairs Airman wins three AFGSC media awards; moves on to DAF level

  • Published
  • By SSgt Enrique Barcelo
  • 377 ABW

Airman 1st Class Ireland Summers, KAFB Public Affairs, public affairs apprentice, won not one or two, but three of the Department of the Air Force Media Awards within Global Strike Command for 2020; Best Portrait of the Year, Best Photojournalist of the Year and Best New Writer of the Year.

“I was speechless,” said Summers. “I was hoping to win at least one category; I wasn’t expecting to win three of them.”

Summers was submitted for eight different categories during 2020; her first year as a public affairs apprentice within the Air Force.

The Department of the Air Force Media Awards are named in memory of Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Morrell, a combat photographer who bailed out of aircraft three times, earned two Purples Hearts and a Bronze Star, and was held as a prisoner of war during World War II.

For recognition of her outstanding performance, Summers was presented achievement coins by both Col. David Miller, 377th Air Base Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Stamper, 377th ABW command chief. 

“I’m really just incredibly proud of how well she has represented us,” said Miller. “I always brag to the other wing commanders about how good our public affairs shop really is. They set the standard for everybody else.”

Summers will next move on to compete at the Department of the Air Force level.