2013 Tyndall Annual Awards Published Feb. 4, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYDNALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Team Tyndall celebrated the 2013 Annual Awards Ceremony Jan. 31 at the Horizons Community Center. The event showcased the efforts of Team Tyndall personnel throughout the previous 12 months. The qualifying categories consisted of leadership and job performance in primary duty, significant self improvement and base or community involvement. The event also featured guest speaker, retired Chief Master Sgt. Walter Richardson, a Tuskegee Airmen. The Team Tyndall award winners were: Senior Airman Danielle Carter, 325th Fighter Wing knowledge operations technician, earned Airman of the Year award. Included in her numerous accomplishments were earning the 2013 9th Air Force Information Dominance Knowledge Operations Airman of the Year award. She completed six credit hours toward her Bachelor's in Business Administration. Additionally, she chaired the 2012 325th Missions Support Group Annual Awards ceremony. Technical Sgt. Brandon Gremillion, 325th Force Support Squadron professional military education instructor, earned NCO of the Year award. He is an Airman Leadership School instructor for Air Combat Command's number one ALS. He earned the John L. Levitow Award upon graduation from the Airey NCO Academy. Finally, he conquered a 50-mile sand run in 12.5 hours, raising $53,000 for the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Master Sgt. Kelly Herndon, 325th FSS base training superintendent, earned Senior NCO of the Year award. She developed the wing sexual assault prevention training program for more than 3,000 base personnel. Herndon earned her Masters of Arts in Management and was the president for the base's Air Force Sergeants Association. Major David Deptula, 43rd Fighter Squadron weapons and tactics chief, earned the Company Grade Officer of the Year award. He also earned the 325th Fighter Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year for the first quarter of 2013. Deptula instructed 19 tactic talks and led 21 instructor pilot meetings. Additionally, he integrated the 325th Operations Group and the 325th Maintenance Groups daily missions, raising aircraft availability 20 percent. Major Jon Snyder, 43rd FS assistant director of operations, earned the Field Grade Officer of the Year. He was one of three Verne Orr Award Finalists and completed 92 percent of his distance learning, studying 11 courses over the course of 132 hours. Snyder volunteered at the base library and led a seven-man team in cleaning the facility. Master Sgt. Steven Young, 325th Communications Squadron first sergeant, earned the First Shirt of the Year award. He chaired the Annual Awards Banquet and completed six credit hours toward his Masters in Public Administration. Young led OperationTturkey Drop, a base-wide food drive, supplying 670 meals and gifts to 170 Airmen. Ronda Wetter, 325th Comprtroller Squadron civilian pay technician, earned the Civilian Category I of the Year award. She filled a one-deep civilian pay position. Wetter completed 20 hours of training and enhanced the civilian pay and trainer toolbox. Additionally, she purchased, cooked and delivered dinners to 36 local American Veterans. Timothy Hibbard, 325th Operations Support Squadron tower controller in charge, earned the Civilian Category II of the Year award. He managed 46,000 aircraft and 2,000 aerial targets operations. Hibbard earned two government online Safety and Health training certificates and identified work center and occupational hazards. Finally, he volunteered 312 hours at Bay County Humane Society. Darin Williams, 53rd Test Support Squadron model maker, earned the Civilian Category III of the Year award. He coordinated a shop upgrade which secured $75,000 in new assets and increased flight ability by 15 percent. Williams initiated a personal fitness training program and dug two wells in Tanzania, Africa, eliminating a two-mile walk and increasing the quality of life for 100 villagers. Michelle A. Ritsema earned the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year award. She led the Tyndall Chapel's Protestant Youth Group and managed their $5,000 annual budget. Ritsema organized the Bay Area Homeschool Science Fair and fulfilled the position of a 337th Air Control Squadron key spouse. Senior Airman Nijou Hamilton, 325th Communications Squadron, earned the Base Honor Guard member of the Year award. Congratulations to all Team Tyndall winners.