Whiteman AFB hosts annual awards banquet

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jovan Banks
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Award winners from Team Whiteman were recognized during the 2014 Annual Awards Banquet at the University of Central Missouri Elliot Student Union Banquet Room, Warrensburg, Mo., Feb. 6, 2015.

Brig. Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, the 509th Bomb Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Drinkard, 509th BW command chief, presented this year's annual awards recognizing the top performers among enlisted, officer and civilian personnel.

"All the nominees are winners in our eyes but we could only pick one per category," said VanHerck. "To win a wing-level or installation award is a significant accomplishment. I am confident they can go on to win at the Air Force level. That is the caliber of people we have at Team Whiteman."

Tech. Sgt. Shonta Simes, the dining facility manager of the 509th Force Support Squadron, won the NCO of the Year category and believes these awards that are presented to Airmen are important because they give Airmen something to strive for and recognizes those whose work ethic is above and beyond what is required.

"My Airmen played a huge role in my winning of an annual award. They stayed motivated and maintained the standard of our accomplishments being earned as a team and not as individuals," said Simes. "To win you must be willing to make personal sacrifices, find solutions to problems and realize the workday doesn't end until the tasks are complete."

Congratulations to all of this year's annual award winners.

Volunteer of the Year
Tiffany Kalin

Honor Guard Member of the Year
Senior Airman Ryan McGarrigle - 509th Operations Support Squadron

Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Mason Meherg - 509th Comptroller Squadron

NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Shonta Simes - 509th Force Support Squadron

SNCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Chad Faria - 509th OSS

First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Trapper Otto - 509th Operations Group

CGO of the Year
Capt.  Jousha Hager - 509th Civil Engineer Squadron 

FGO of the Year
Maj. Christopher Diller - 509th OSS

Civilian Associate of the Year
Michael Pruismann - 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

Civilian Specialist of the Year
Kayla Horsman - 509th OSS

Civilian Supervisor of the Year
Rebecca White - 509th FSS

Supervisor of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Jason Biddlecome - 509th Maintenance Group

Innovator of the Year
Tech. Sgt. William Roberts - 509th Maintenance Squadron