Misawa recognizes top performers, units of the year

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  It may not have been telecast around the world, but it was a "Night of the Stars" as more than four hundred people attended Misawa's 2008 Annual Award Ceremony at the Tohoku Enlisted Club on the evening of Jan. 23. 

"Let me start by recognizing the superior performance of our Misawa nominees," said Col. Robert Craig, the 35th Fighter Wing vice commander and guest speaker for the event. "As a group winner, our nominees have already been identified in the top five percent of their peer group. For some, like maintenance and mission support groups' Airman of the year, they were selected as the number one of more than 500 Airmen in their groups." 

These 45 individual nominees have been selected as the finest from a pool of more than 3,600 Misawa personnel, added Colonel Craig. 

"I hope the awards process is an encouragement to you by reinforcing how much we value your service and sacrifice," said Colonel Craig. "We appreciate not only the work you've done, but the examples set in our organizations and your unselfish contributions to our communities." 

If the goal of the awards ceremony was to make the nominees feel special and appreciated, then the awards committee succeeded according to Senior Master Sgt. Arlene Murray, 301st Intelligence Squadron. 

"Even though I didn't come away with an award, I felt like a winner as soon as I stepped through the dining area -- I truly felt like a star," said Sergeant Murray, acting superintendent of the mission directorate operations and her squadron's nominee for senior NCO of the year category. "The committee did an awesome job showcasing an atmosphere that showed they cared. It was an awesome evening and one of the best annual award ceremonies that I've attended."

Although the event highlighted the achievements of select individuals, their recognition should not remain isolated to one special night, according to Colonel Craig. He reminded listeners about an objective of Air Force award programs.

"Motivating Excellence -- I encourage commanders to circulate the accomplishments of tonight's nominees in your organizations," said Colonel Craig. "By hearing or reading the accomplishments of these individuals, others can see what excellence is ... and they can...and will rise to the challenge." 

The winners of the 35th FW 2008 Annual Awards Ceremony for Misawa are: 

Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class Stephanie Piltingsrud, 610th ACF

Noncomissioned Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Thaddeus Mitcham, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron

Senior Noncommisioned Officer of the Year
Master Sgt. Michael Silva, 35th Medical Group

Additional Duty First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Jeannette Grimm, 35th Maintenance Squadron

Joan Orr Award for Spouse of the Year
Mrs. Erin Leonard, Misawa's American Red Cross Office

Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year
Staff Sgt. Kennith Escobar, PCS'd

Honor Guard Member of the Year
Senior Airman Christopher Allen, 35th Communication Squadron

Fighter Pilot of the Year
Capt. Anthony Marek, 14th Fighter Squadron

Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Jeffery Day, 35th Security Fighter Squadron

Field Grade Officer of the Year
Maj. Steven Coy, 35th Logistic Readiness Squadron

Civilian Category I of the Year
Mrs. Michiko Tsukuta, 35th FW Staff Agency

Civilian Category II of the Year
Mr. Harvey Williams, 35th LRS

Misawa Installation First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Gordon Evarts, Misawa Security Operations Center

35 FW First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Bernard Marshall, 35th MDG

Flight Commander of the Year
1st Lt. Harold Sham, 35th CS

Large Unit of the Year
35th LRS

Small Unit of the Year
13th Fighter Squadron