Directorate’s Airmen, civilians receive honors

  • Published
  • By Michael P. Kleiman
  • Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate recognized several of its military and civilian personnel during a ceremony conducted here Feb. 20. 

For his participation in the inaugural AFRL Commander's Challenge, 1st Lt. Kenneth McDougall received the Air Force Achievement Medal. In addition, R. Scott Erwin earned the Award for Civilian Achievement for his involvement with the Space Scholars Program. 

Three Airmen selected for quarterly awards included Capt. Mark Scherbarth for the company grade officer category, Tech. Sgt. Chad Schmidt for the noncommissioned officer category and Senior Airman Jonathan Blanck for the airman category. The latter two winners serve at the Directorate's division at Hanscom AFB, Mass. 

Individuals nominated or selected for Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command and AFRL honors were also acknowledged during the event. These consist of Capt. Stan Straight for the Air Force nominee for the Arthur S. Flemming Award, science and mathematics category; Greg Spanjers for the Air Force nominee for the Arthur S. Flemming Award, scientific category; Connie Rankin, Michael Kleiman and Martin Martinez for 2006 AFMC 

Public Affairs Director's Excellence Award for a planned event - TacSat-2 launch; Joan Fulkerson for the AFMC nominee for Secretary of the Air Force Special Achievement Award, small business specialist; Harold "Vernon" Baker for the AFMC nominee for the Air Force Association's Outstanding Civilian of the Year, senior program manager category; Capt. Aaron Banks for the AFRL nominee for Air Force Communications and Information Award, company grade officer category and Senior Airman Danny Warfield for the AFRL nominee for Air Force Communications and Information Award, Airman category. 

Finally, the organization honored employees for lengths of federal service: Roger Shinnick for 40 years, Jill Mahdessian for 20 years, Geralyn Warner for 20 years and Greg Spanjers for 10 years.