Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center recognizes annual award winners
KIRTLAND AFB, New Mexico -- The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center announced its annual award winners at a ceremony Jan. 25 at the Mountain View Club.
“Events like this are very important because we often are so focused on our mission…that we forget to take the time to tell our most outstanding performers just how well they are doing,” said Joseph Oder, AFNWC executive director, in the opening remarks. He told the winners "this is truly your night to shine.”
“Congratulations to all of the winners for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to our mission,” said Maj. Gen. Shaun Morris, AFNWC commander, "and thanks to all their teammates whose hard work each day ensures our nation’s most powerful weapons are never doubted, always feared!”
The center’s winners will compete at the next level for Air Force Materiel Command’s annual awards.
AFNWC 2017 annual award winners:
• Airman of the Year – Senior Airman Darian Bolles, Nuclear Technology and Interagency Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
• Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year – Tech. Sgt. Kamuela Kalilikane, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Systems Directorate, Hill AFB, Utah
• Senior NCO of the Year – Master Sgt. Jerry Chandler, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
• Company Grade Officer of the Year – Captain Michael Gibb, Nuclear Technology and Interagency Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
• Field Grade Officer of the Year – Major Kenton Feldman, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Eglin AFB, Florida
• Category I Civilian of the Year – Megan Wheeler, ICBM Systems Directorate, Hill AFB, Utah
• Category II Civilian of the Year – Jessica Keomalu, ICBM Systems Directorate, Hill AFB, Utah
• Category III Civilian of the Year – Dr. Stephanie Mma, Nuclear Technology and Interagency Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
• Category IV Civilian of the Year – Wesley Treadway, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Eglin AFB, Florida
• Team of the Year – Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Analysis Team, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico (David Bax, team lead; Ray Campos; Paul Gallagher; Michael Haway; Daniel Pagliaro; Leslie Remy; Nithya Sieu; Jason Weisberg; Bruce Gilpin; and Paul Lakos)
• Outstanding Service Awards – Judith Oliva, Judge Advocate Directorate, and Tony Kaiser, Contracting Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
The center is responsible for synchronizing all aspects of nuclear materiel management on behalf of Air Force Materiel Command in direct support of Air Force Global Strike Command. Headquartered at Kirtland AFB, the center has about 1,100 personnel assigned to 17 locations worldwide, including at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts; Hill AFB, Utah; Eglin AFB, Florida; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and at Ramstein AB, Germany.