Airmen recognized for ‘Above and Beyond’ efforts

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jeremy J. McClure
  • 185 ARW Wing PA

Airmen with the 185th Air Refueling Wing were recognized for their accomplishments during the past year at an awards ceremony held here during February drill.

Col. Lawrence Christensen, Commander of the 185th Air Refueling Wing, praised the Airmen for their efforts in 2016 and going above and beyond a year that was anything but normal.

“We have been operating at such a high level for the last several years, when I hear ‘Above and Beyond’ in this setting, with this wing, with you people, to me it means so much more,” said Christensen to the Airmen referring to the unit’s high operational tempo, including a number of deployments, preparing for, and completing a major inspection.

Recognition was given to Airmen who were part of the unit’s Honor Guard for their participation in numerous events within the community including funeral honors. Staff Sgt. Dustin Thelander and Senior Airmen Cory Corcoran were presented the Iowa Meritorious Service Medal for their contributions to the Honor Guard program throughout the year. Corcoran was also named the 2016 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

The unit also recognized the contributions of Gerald Pallesen, a member of the VFW, for his sounding of Taps at 21 events with the Honor Guard in the last two years.  In the last four years, Pallesen has driven 61,714 mile to participate in 519 funerals and has volunteered 2,950 hours for these events.

Tech. Sgt. Jerry Anderson was named the Iowa Rookie Production Recruiter of the Year for enlisting 26 members to the unit during the year.

Christensen also presented his commander’s coin to the Airmen, a.k.a. “Centurions,” of the unit that competed their fitness assessment with a score of 100%. To get a perfect score, the Airmen had to complete the maximum number of sit-ups and push-ups in a minute and complete a 1.5 mile run within a specific time limit.

The following includes the list of awards and their winners.

2016 Outstanding Airmen of the Year: Senior Airmen Spencer Zielke

2016 Outstanding NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Katie Perez

2016 Outstanding 1st Sgt. of the Year: Royd Chambers

2016 185th Honor Guard Manager of the Year: Master Sgt. Lynn Koger

2016 185th Honor Guard Member of the Year: Master Sgt. Brad Rose

FY16 Iowa Rookie Production Recruiter of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Jerry Anderson

Air national Guard Human Resource Advisor Legacy Award: Senior Master Sgt. T.J. Fennell

Iowa Meritorious Service Medal: Senior Airmen Cory Corcoran and Staff Sgt. Dustin Thelander

185th Base Honor Guard coins were presented to Lt. Col. Kevin Alons and Tech. Sgt. Kyle Fisher

185th Honor Guard Certificate of Appreciation: Tech. Sgt. Daniel Bailey, Master Sgt. Kim Carda, Senior Airman Cory Corcoran, Staff Sgt. Preston Crandell, Chief Master Sgt. T.J. Fennell, Tech Sgt. Kyle Fisher, Staff Sgt. Xa Gregg, Tech. Sgt. Christine Groves, Senior Master Sgt. Tom Hanson, Staff Sgt. Damian Huizar, Tech. Sgt. Archie Kelly, Tech Sgt. Barb Lariviere, Tech. Sgt. Lucas Mann, Master Sgt. Jeff Moffitt, Master Sgt. Brad Rose, Senior Master Sgt. Val Rose, Master Sgt. Neal Stokes, Staff Sgt. Dustin Thelander, Tech. Sgt. Michael Winter.

185th Centurions: Staff Sgt. Jenna Christensen, Capt. Marty Hogan, Master Sgt. Lucas Mann, Master Sgt. Brad Rose, Tech. Sgt. John Staber, Master Sgt. Zach Terry, Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Hamstra, Maj. Adam Carlson, Senior Master Sgt. Ray Dozler, Chief Master Sgt. Phil Frank, Staff Sgt. Adam Culler, Staff Sgt. Taylor Schramm, Airman 1st Class Eric Peters, Master Sgt. Juli Smith, Capt. Jen Carlson.  


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