KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 403rd Wing announced its second quarter award winners for the April. 1 through June 30 period. Winners were chosen in the Airman, noncommissioned officer, senior NCO, first sergeant, company grade officer and civilian categories.
Airman of the Quarter: Senior Airman Amanda Copeland
Unit: 403rd Force Support Squadron
Duty title: Services lodging supervisor
Years of service: 8
Hometown: College Park, Georgia
Latest accomplishment: “Being given the opportunity to serve as a 403rd services lodging supervisor after graduating as the class leader for Airman Leadership School 19-5,” she said. “In my recent deployment, I held the role as the Rising IV president, safety representative, and a dining facility shift lead. These leadership opportunities have been a blessing and an honor because they are grooming me into the effective leader I want to be for the 403rd Wing.”
NCO of the Quarter: Tech. Sgt. Russell Kober
Unit: 403rd Maintenance Squadron
Duty title: Meteorology equipment technician
Years of service: 9
Hometown: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Latest accomplishment: “Being recently hired with the 403rd MXS meteorology shop full time,” he said. “It gives me the opportunity to learn a new craft and further my knowledge and experience on the WC-130J Super Hercules Hurricane Hunters aircraft.
SNCO of the Quarter: Master Sgt. Tauston Jackson
Unit: 403rd Maintenance Squadron
Duty title: Aerospace Ground Equipment production superintendent
Years of service: 20
Hometown: Henelyfield, Mississippi
Latest accomplishment: “Being given the opportunity to serve temporarily as my career field’s AGE program manager at Air Force Reserve Command,” he said. “It was a great honor to be selected and entrusted in this role by the 403rd MXS supervision and the command.”
First Sgt. of the Quarter: Master Sgt. Kimelyn Hall
Unit: 403rd Operations Support Squadron
Duty title: First sergeant
Years of service: 21
Hometown: Dawson, Georgia
Latest accomplishment: “Choosing to relocate from Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina to Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi was a great decision,” she said. “I was able to help stand up the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron as a flight medic. Now, I get to serve as a first sergeant in the 403rd OSS and remain close to the flightline.”
CGO of the Quarter: Capt. Michael Plash
Unit: 815th Airlift Squadron
Duty title: Chief of Training
Years of service: 8
Hometown: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Latest accomplishment: “Graduating instructor school and being given the opportunity to support the European theater through Silver Arrow,” he said. “During that time I flew into eight different countries for a total of 58 flying hours, delivered 34 tons of cargo, 65 personnel and formation-airdropping more than 1200 jumpers in Germany and Italy.”
Civilian of the Quarter: Mark Myers
Unit: 403rd Operations Group
Duty title: Unit Deployment Manager
Years of service: 15
Hometown: Calumet City, Illinois
Latest accomplishment: “Supporting the 815th Airlift Squadron in exercise Swift Response 19 in Germany,” he said “I was empowered with planning and coordinating all mobility related items needed for Airmen from the 815th AS to deploy in support of Joint Tasking Swift Response. Being responsible for 38 members is hard work, but an honorable responsibility.”