Sheppard members earn AETC honors

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  • By Sheppard Senator staff
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
Airmen and civilians here validated the impeccable mission of Sheppard when they were awarded Air Education and Training Command-level honors.

The command recently announced winners of equal employment opportunity, productivity excellence, security forces and safety awards. The AETC-level winners will represent the command for Air Force-level awards.

Col. Samuel Lofton III, commander of the 82nd Training Group, won top honor for "Commander Action" category in the EEO awards. The colonel was recognized for establishing a "zero tolerance" EEO policy that included reporting violations and prevention.

He also "personally counseled non-prior service Airmen on Air Force military equal opportunities following a racial incident."

Two Sheppard personnel were identified for their efforts in "Special Emphasis" areas, specifically the Federal Women's Program, Hispanic employment and Asian American/Pacific Islander categories.

Sherry Murray-Garrett, Sheppard's EEO chief, was honored for her dedication and commitment to the Air Force's EEO program, enabling the Federal Women's Program here to be successful. In the last year, Mrs. Murray-Garrett re-established the EEO Advisory Committee which reviews trends in personnel actions, monitors recruitment efforts for women, minorities and people with disabilities, reviews the status of special emphasis programs and maintains an awareness of the intent and requirements of the Affirmative Action Plan.

Tech. Sgt. Edgar Gaytan, an avionic instructor at the 365th Training Squadron, was recognized for his work under the category of Hispanic employment. Sergeant Gaytan was able to bring together Sheppard and the Texas Partners in Education program by instituting a mentoring program that matched mentors with like-interest students.
The Wichita Falls ISD implemented the program and Hispanic youth at 30 WFISD schools benefited from the program.

Kimberly Payne, a human resource specialist at the 82nd Mission Support Squadron, was named the top individual in AETC's Asian American/Pacific Islander category. Ms. Payne was singled out for her knowledge and appreciation of the heritage of Asian and other Pacific Island Cultures through the API committee as well as Palace Acquire mentoring meetings.

AETC also announced winners for the Productivity Excellence Award. A team from the 82nd Training Support Squadron was named the winner of the small group category.
Maj. Paul Bailey, Capt. Laura Strater, Tony Carmosino and David Miller set themselves apart from their colleagues by "extraordinary innovation and management control," saving Sheppard and the Air Force more than $2 million from October 2003 to September 2006. The team was also able to reduce the tracking time of 15,000 Airmen-in-Training by 80 percent.

Four 82nd Security Forces Squadron members were also named tops in their respective categories.

Staff Sgt. Pablo Martinez Jr. was awarded the Col. Billy Jack Carter award for his service in a forward deployed location with his military working dog, Argo. Sergeant Martinez set himself apart by creating standard operating procedures for the different uses of military working dogs attached to infantry or engineer units that is used today to train dogs and dog handlers. He was also recognized for pulling a wounded Soldier to cover while he continued to direct and return fire.

Tech. Sgt. Buffie Verhagen received the Outstanding Security Forces Award in the Flight Level NCO category. She was cited for integrating SFS augmentees every 45 days to aid in the safeguard of Sheppard and its people, as well as keeping drugs off the base when she sieved marijuana during a vehicle search.

The winner of the Support Staff NCO category for AETC's Outstanding Securiyt Forces Awards was Tech. Sgt. Justin Naylor. The sergeant was recognized for setting up a first-ever Joint Service Police Force at a forward deployed location. He also prevented an attack at the location when he detained two foreign nationals attempting to enter military living quarters.

David Yonts was named the winner of the Civilian Security Forces Annual Award. Mr. Yonts was recognized for his service as a Pass and ID Clerk with the 82nd SFS. He validated 600 criminal history checks, screening for disqualifying factors. He also identified eight contractors who had suspended drivers' licenses and four who were wanted by authorities.

A couple other Sheppard people were also recognized recently as quarterly award winners for AETC. Staff Sgt. Jason DeOrio, of the 82nd SFS, received the AETC Weapons Safety Award of Distinction, while Clyde Warren, of the 361st TRS, received a Well Done Award.