Team Tyndall celebrates Annual Awards

  • Published
  • By : Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE --  Team Tyndall celebrated its 2011 Annual Awards Ceremony Jan. 6 at the Heritage Club.

The event showcased the efforts of Team Tyndall personnel throughout the previous twelve months. The qualifying categories consist of leadership and job performance in primary duty, significant self improvement and base or community involvement.

Airman of the Year was awarded to Senior Airman Guadalupe Corona, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal journeyman. Included in his numerous accomplishments, Airman Corona supported the 32nd Georgian Battalion while executing 78 combat missions and eliminated enemy stronghold, for which he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He completed 16 credit hours toward his Community College of the Air Force degree and is one class short of completion. He also volunteered several hours to a local church.

Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year was awarded to Technical Sergeant Aris M. DiRodio, 823nd RED HORSE Squadron, Detachment 1, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Combat Battlefield Ready Airman instructor. Among his achievements, Sergeant DiRodio was the Interim Flight Chief, leading 26 personnel and enforcing commander's directives. He prepared 361 Airmen for OPERATIONS Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He earned his remaining three credits toward his Community College of the Air Force degree while maintaining a 3.8 grade point average. Finally, he represented the Top III council as their secretary and was highly involved in council fundraisers.

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year was awarded to Senior Master Sgt. Jody L. Petersen, 325th Medical Support Squadron superintendent. Sergeant Petersen was the Wing SNCO of the Year, SNCO of the 2nd Quarter, Group SNCO of the Year and Group SNCO Leadership Award winner. She executed 16 hours of intermediate executive skills correspondence course, which included five days of in-residence training. She was also the Air Force Assistance Fund Assistant Instillation Project Officer rallying 46 key members and made 100 percent meaningful contact, raising $59,000.

Company Grade Officer of the Year was awarded to Captain Blake Smith, 325th Medical Support Squadron medical logistics flight commander. Captain Smith was the Group CGO of the Year and led Air Education and Training Command Medical Logistics Small Account of the Year for the 2nd year in a row. He graduated Squadron Officer School and completed 120 study hours. He bolstered the Wing Airmen Against Drunk Driving program while volunteering 200 hours directing and dispatching drivers, potentially saving 27 lives.

Civilian Category I of the Year was awarded to Mrs. Sally K. Mellen, 325th Security Forces Squadron unit program coordinator. Mrs. Mellen maintained 150 suspenses weekly, oversaw the commander's calendar and appointments, keeping the unit on track. She completed training on a new computer system and transitioned active evaluation and decoration sites to the new program resulting in no late reports. She also conducted three base self defense classes to train 60 women and children attack survival skills, building confidence and safety.

Civilian Category II of the Year was awarded to Mr. Robert A. Diltz, Air Force Research Laboratory associate chemical engineer. Mr. Diltz collaborated on an "Impact of Biomass production on Land Use" article for peer-reviewed Biomass & Bioenergy. He completed all Ph.D. coursework and began his dissertation. He is expected to graduate by the end of the year. He assisted with the annual Society of American Military Engineers golf tournament and, in turn, helped to raise $14,000 toward scholarships.

Civilian Category III of the Year was awarded to Mr. Grant W. Burris, 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron combat archer technical advisor. Mr. Burris was the technical lead for the United States Air Force's premier Air-to-Air Weapon System Evaluation Program. He is working toward a Master's degree in Program Management. He also spent off-duty time resolving computer and network issues in the local community, boosting public outreach.

First Sergeant of the Year was awarded to Master Sgt. David S. Worstell, 325th Medical Group first sergeant. Sergeant Worstell oversees the whole group, three squadrons, 350 personnel and 450 dependents. He earned nine semester hours toward his Community College of the Air Force degree in Human Resources and his Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Studies is 80 percent complete with a 3.6 grade point average. He was also the Wing chairman for the POW/MIA Recognition events which included more than 600 participants.

Base Honor Guard Member of the Year was awarded to Airman 1st Class Nicholas Puente, 325th Air Control Squadron pilot simulator. Airman Puente was the Wing Honor Guardsmember of the 3rd quarter and lead Airmen on Tyndall and the local community by his support to his congressionally mandated duty. He also participated in the Recruiter's Assistance Program where he honed his public speaking skills and recruited two guardsmen in one month.

Base Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year was awarded to Master Sgt. Raymond Delgado, 325th Force Support Squadron honor guard superintendent. Sergeant Delgado provided keen insight to 59 guards member and two staff members, which insured zero errors with congressionally mandated duties. He also tackled 40 hours of Senior Enlisted Joint professional military education, honing vital joint organizational skills and enhancing joint concept vision.

Congratulations to all Team Tyndall winners.