Reservists take top public affairs awards

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  • By 403rd Wing Public Affairs
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  Citizen Airmen from the 403rd Wing claimed four public affairs awards in the 2010 Air Force Reserve Command's Media Contest and Communication Excellence Awards.

Two of the three winning Media Contest entries went on to compete in the 55th Annual Air Force Media Contest in Washington D.C.

Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens, 403rd Wing public affairs member, took first place in the series category for his four-part story on the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters."   Sergeant Labaden's series was one of the two winning entries to compete at Air Force level.

Senior Airman Kimberly Erickson, former 403rd Wing PA member, earned top honors for her photograph of the 815th Airlift Squadron "Flying Jennies" as they returned home from their 2009-2010 deployment to Southwest Asia.  The photograph also went on to compete at Air Force level.

Tech Sgt. Tanya King, 403rd Wing PA noncommissioned officer in charge, was named Outstanding Public Affairs Tactical Grade Civilian from among 49 eligible civilians for the award.   Her photograph of 815th AS members on a joint training mission with Army Special Forces in Key West, Fla., took third place in the Combat Documentation category.