An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

188th Fighter Wing names annual unit award recipients at Commander's Call assembly

  • Published
  • By 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The 188th Fighter Wing handed out its annual awards during a Commander's Call March 6 at the unit's Regional Training Site. The 188th recognized its best of 2009 by honoring Airmen in seven categories and also honored members with awards and certificates for Outstanding Service.

Master Sgt. Brian Mays was named the 188th's Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year. Mays also earned the Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year accolade at the state level. Mays was the only individual 188th member to take home an award at state.

Senior Airman Amber M. Ruckman took home the Airman of the Year accolade. Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Nordin was named the unit's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Master Sgt. Vincent H. Prince earned Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Master Sgt. Mark Allen was tabbed as the 188th's First Sergeant of the Year and Maj. Grace Ryals grabbed Officer of the Year honors. Mr. Roger A. Sanchez was honored as the unit's Volunteer of the Year.

Strength in numbers
The 188th Fighter Wing was given a Strength Award by Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Burns at the Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters for achieving 103 percent end strength.

The award was given to the unit as a whole, recognizing its support through unit tours, unit referrals and overall assistance in the recruiting process.

Burns, though, presented the 188th Maintenance Group with a plaque for having an outstanding retention program for its commitment to excellence during AEF spin-up and UCI preparation in FY 2009.

Thirteen individuals were identified as the catalyst for the high retention within the group. They are listed below. Members also received a coin from Col. Tom Anderson, 188th commander, and were recognized during the awards ceremony at Commander's Call.

Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Amber M. Ruckman

NCO of the Year
Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Nordin

Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Vincent H. Prince

First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Mark Allen

Officer of the Year
Maj. Grace Ryals

Honor Guard Program  Manager of the Year
Master Sgt. Brian Mays

Volunteer of the Year
Mr. Roger A. Sanchez

Outstanding Service Awards
Senior Airman Kelli N. Reed
Airman 1st Class Eric C. Green
Staff Sgt. Richard G. Lunsford
Staff Sgt. Christina J. Simmons
Senior Master Sgt. William A. Moers III
Master Sgt. Michael E. Garloch
Capt. Kathryn E. Kapella

Outstanding Service Certificates
Staff Sgt. Janette Williams-Smith
Staff Sgt. Aleta B. Posey
Staff Sgt. Mindy R. Webb
Tech Sgt. Joy B. Wright
Senior Master Sgt. Damon W. Rye
Master Sgt. Brian E. Mays
Master Sgt. Larry A. Winn

2009 Arkansas National Guard Retention Program of the Year
188th Maintenance Group
Master Sgt. Myron Brammer
Staff Sgt. Laura Means
Airman 1st Class Robert Craise
Master Sgt. Rodney Daniels
Tech Sgt. Renona Phillips
Staff Sgt. Brian Furr
Staff Sgt. Bobby Haag
Tech Sgt. Amy Furr
Staff Sgt. Terry Harrower
Staff Sgt. Alicia Peters
Tech Sgt. Brian Anible
Tech Sgt. Lonnie Nicholson
Master Sgt. Robert Grimm

188th Fighter Wing names annual unit award recipients at Commander's Call assembly

  • Published
  • By 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The 188th Fighter Wing handed out its annual awards during a Commander's Call March 6 at the unit's Regional Training Site. The 188th recognized its best of 2009 by honoring Airmen in seven categories and also honored members with awards and certificates for Outstanding Service.

Master Sgt. Brian Mays was named the 188th's Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year. Mays also earned the Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year accolade at the state level. Mays was the only individual 188th member to take home an award at state.

Senior Airman Amber M. Ruckman took home the Airman of the Year accolade. Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Nordin was named the unit's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Master Sgt. Vincent H. Prince earned Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Master Sgt. Mark Allen was tabbed as the 188th's First Sergeant of the Year and Maj. Grace Ryals grabbed Officer of the Year honors. Mr. Roger A. Sanchez was honored as the unit's Volunteer of the Year.

Strength in numbers
The 188th Fighter Wing was given a Strength Award by Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Burns at the Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters for achieving 103 percent end strength.

The award was given to the unit as a whole, recognizing its support through unit tours, unit referrals and overall assistance in the recruiting process.

Burns, though, presented the 188th Maintenance Group with a plaque for having an outstanding retention program for its commitment to excellence during AEF spin-up and UCI preparation in FY 2009.

Thirteen individuals were identified as the catalyst for the high retention within the group. They are listed below. Members also received a coin from Col. Tom Anderson, 188th commander, and were recognized during the awards ceremony at Commander's Call.

Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Amber M. Ruckman

NCO of the Year
Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Nordin

Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Vincent H. Prince

First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Mark Allen

Officer of the Year
Maj. Grace Ryals

Honor Guard Program  Manager of the Year
Master Sgt. Brian Mays

Volunteer of the Year
Mr. Roger A. Sanchez

Outstanding Service Awards
Senior Airman Kelli N. Reed
Airman 1st Class Eric C. Green
Staff Sgt. Richard G. Lunsford
Staff Sgt. Christina J. Simmons
Senior Master Sgt. William A. Moers III
Master Sgt. Michael E. Garloch
Capt. Kathryn E. Kapella

Outstanding Service Certificates
Staff Sgt. Janette Williams-Smith
Staff Sgt. Aleta B. Posey
Staff Sgt. Mindy R. Webb
Tech Sgt. Joy B. Wright
Senior Master Sgt. Damon W. Rye
Master Sgt. Brian E. Mays
Master Sgt. Larry A. Winn

2009 Arkansas National Guard Retention Program of the Year
188th Maintenance Group
Master Sgt. Myron Brammer
Staff Sgt. Laura Means
Airman 1st Class Robert Craise
Master Sgt. Rodney Daniels
Tech Sgt. Renona Phillips
Staff Sgt. Brian Furr
Staff Sgt. Bobby Haag
Tech Sgt. Amy Furr
Staff Sgt. Terry Harrower
Staff Sgt. Alicia Peters
Tech Sgt. Brian Anible
Tech Sgt. Lonnie Nicholson
Master Sgt. Robert Grimm