Wing names top performers Published March 8, 2007 HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT -- First Sergeant of the Year Senior Master Sgt. Sheila Brown 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Master Sgt. Brown deployed to Balad AB, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and provided a positive outlook and up-to-date information to deployed Airman in the face of extremely austere conditions and enemy attacks. Sergeant Brown expedited the emergency redeployment of three individuals due to family issues -- quickly gaining approval, transportation and out-processing for personnel. While assisting the Balad Contingency First Sergeant with morale and disciplinary issues, Sergeant Brown aggressively settled lodging and transportation problems that affected the productivity and living conditions of personnel base-wide. Prior to deploying, she created personal information sheets for deploying personnel so home-station leadership would be aware of special needs to better support families during both special occasions and potentially difficult times. After returning from Balad, Sergeant Brown deployed to Eielson AFB, Alaska, for the cooperative Cope Thunder joint NATO exercise generating 186 training sorties. Senior NCO of the Year Master Sergeant Mark Howell 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Master Sgt. Howell directed U.S. Army and Marine Corps personnel in developing GATEWAY situational awareness networks which allowed Air Force aircraft to directly link with U. S. ground forces for the first time. He worked with Northrop Grumman engineers to fine-tune the LITENING AT intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance targeting pod capabilities. His expertise and troubleshooting provided invaluable data and enabled the 419th FW to be the first combat unit to use this newest targeting pod during contingency operations. In Addition, Sergeant Howell single-handedly solved a recurring secure communications problem for a deployed National Guard unit, restoring their aircrew's ability to communicate with Special Operations units during joint operations. His dynamic leadership qualities make him an outstanding avionics team chief. In addition, he generated team spirit by being the first flight Master Sergeant to train in additional duty outside his AFSC as production expeditor. His efforts not only assisted in the manning shortfall but also encouraged other flight members to participate in this vital training. NCO of the Year Tech. Sergeant Frank Fox 419th Maintenance Squadron Tech. Sergeant Fox volunteered for a 120 day deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq where he was assigned as the Service and Dispatch section NCOIC responsible for four personnel and more than 200 pieces of active duty and Reserve equipment. He planned, inspected and shipped about 192 tons of cargo and equipment with zero shortfalls, and a seamless transition to home station. He led the flight's planning and scheduling section managing all aspects of maintenance for 260 pieces of powered and non-powered Aircraft Generation Equipment with a result of zero scheduling discrepancies and an amazing 96-percent mission capable rate. In addition, Sergeant Fox brilliantly maintained 15 individual training records and flight master training plans with zero defects as lauded during the Air Force Reserve Command Unit Compliance Inspection in April 2006. He also managed two Custodian Authorization Custody Receipt Listings totaling 133 pieces of equipment and valued at 5.4 million dollars providing seamless support and keen oversight of high value assets. Airman of the Year Staff Sgt. Michael Chalmers 419th Security Forces Squadron Staff Sergeant Chalmers deployed to Manas Air Base, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, for more than 160 days. During that time he served as Physical Security Enhancement Team Leader and Fire Team Leader for the 376th Expeditionary Wing. While deployed, he coordinated base security enhancement efforts by reinforcing all entry control points and replaced the broken security barriers. He repaired 31 blast mitigation barriers at the Visitor Control Center returning them to fully serviceable condition and saving the Air Force more than $3,000 in contracting repair costs. Sergeant Chalmers provided a solid detection screen for more than 1,500 sorties, ensuring the safe passage and transit of 90,600 personnel, 29 million pounds of fuel, and 56,000 tons of cargo. In addition, he conducted eight off-base combat patrols covering 213 square kilometers along the base perimeter. Sergeant Chalmers was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his outstanding volunteer efforts serving the people of Kyrgyzstan as well as fellow servicemen. His volunteer service included constructing 20 trundle beds for the local village orphanage, repairing and restoring the plumbing and water system in an Alcohol Rehabilitation Center, constructing new playground equipment and repairing existing equipment for a local village school. Civilian of the Year Kari Tilton 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Mrs. Tilton stepped up to run the Public Affairs office after the unexpected departure of the wing's senior public affairs officer. As the wing's acting chief of Public Affairs Mrs. Tilton effectively took on the role as supervisor and trainer for two traditional reservists assigned to the office and successfully mentored the Airmen to achieve their five skill-level in a matter of months. In addition, Mrs. Tilton developed a comprehensive strategic communication plan to maximize existing Public Affairs programs and chart the future. She passionately works to increase public opinion of the Air Force Reserve. While single-handedly overseeing the wing's public affairs programs, Mrs. Tilton was able to increase local news media coverage by nearly 70 percent. She also revitalized the wing's Community Relations speaker's Bureau Program to reach a wider and more diverse audience and developed a comprehensive summary of the wing's overall involvement in the Global War on Terror. Mrs. Tilton also spearheaded the transition for the 419th's HeadsUp publication to a joint newspaper with the 388th Fighter Wing, the Total Force Viper, merging story lines for both communities which significantly influenced cross-unit recognition. Also awarded were ... Servant Leadership Award Master Sgt. Eric Wass, 419th Civil Engineer Squadron Chief's Award Senior Airman Thomas Benincosa, 419th Security Forces Squadron Diamond Excellence Award Master Sgt. Matthew Matysik, 419th Maintenance Squadron Honor Guard Award Tech. Sgt. Tamara Wass 67th Aerial Port Squadron