KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --
The 403rd Wing held its annual commander’s call at Welch Theater April 2 during the Unit Training Assembly.
Col. Frank Amodeo, 403rd Wing Commander, presented awards to the 2015 quarterly and annual award winners.
The following Airmen were recognized:
First Quarter
Airman of the Quarter: Senior Airman Kristen D. Taylor, 403rd Operation Support Group
Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Tech. Sgt. James R. Baggott, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron
Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Senior Master Sgt. Mary L. Adamson, 41st Aerial Port Squadron
Civilian of the Quarter: Wanda K. Bowman, 403rd Wing
Second Quarter
Airman of the Quarter: Senior Airman Veronica Ojeda, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron
Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Staff Sgt. Jameel Lemon, 5th Operational Weather Flight
Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Master Sgt. Starky Hicks, 403rd Maintenance Squadron
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter: 1st Lt. Brandon Dutton, 403rd Maintenance Squadron
Third Quarter
Airman of the Quarter: Senior Airman Broderick McMillian, 41st Aerial Port Squadron
Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Staff Sgt. Zachary Barnhill, 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron
Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Master Sgt. Lois Dedeaux, 403rd ASTS
Fourth Quarter
Airman of the Quarter: Senior Airman Kelly Andino, 403rd Operation Support Squadron
Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Mast, 403rd ASTS
Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter: Master Sgt. Marvin White, 5th Operational Weather Flight
Company Grade Officer of the Quarter: 1st Lt. Brandon Dutton, 403rd Maintenance Squadron
The annual award winners were:
Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Jordan Watson, 41st APS
Non-commissioned Officer of the Year: Staff Sgt. Denys Watson, 403rd MXS
Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Alce Martin, 41st APS
First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Thomas Lassabe, 41st APS
Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. April Martin, 403rd Force Support Squadron
Civilian of the Year: Wanda Bowman, 403rd Wing
The wing commander also congratulated the 403rd Operations Group, 403rd Public Affairs Office, and National Hurricane Center for receiving the Air Force Reserve Command Maj. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Award for Public Affairs Communication Effectiveness for their communication support of the 2015 Hurricane Awareness Tour, which was a week-long event visiting Halifax, Canada; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and St. Augustine and Marathon, Florida, May 3-8, 2015
After the recognition portion of the event, the commander discussed some of the wing’s current events. The discussion included the revision of the wing’s vision and mission, the wing’s effective rating during the March Unit Effectiveness Inspection, the status of the 815th Airlift Squadron, the establishment of a new aircraft maintenance squadron, the force support squadron integration with the 81st Training Wing, the upcoming exercise in June and more.
The colonel began his comments with the unveiling of the new vision and mission statements.
The new 403rd Wing vision is “Unrivaled wing responding decisively to defend freedom and continuously protect our homeland,” and the mission is to “Deliver diverse global capabilities by empowered Airmen serving with pride, agility and teamwork.”
“So the primary mission of the 403rd Wing is to fly those airplanes,” said Amodeo. “But in front of those airplanes are the vision and the mission, and none of that can happen without what you all do every single day. It takes that teamwork, so I appreciate what you do every day.”
At the end of the commander’s call, the commander answered some of the wing member’s questions. He also encouraged Airmen to submit their suggestions or questions to his E-Suggestion box on SharePoint or route it through their chain of command. The next wing commander’s call is scheduled to be held in February 2016.