80th FTW Protocol is tops in AETC Published Nov. 20, 2013 By 2nd Lt. Abraham Morland 80th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 80th Flying Training Wing Protocol office here was recently recognized by Air Education and Training Command (AETC) as the winner of the 2013 George Washington Award for Protocol Excellence. The two-person protocol office, staffed by Chief of Protocol Michele Houck and Assistant Chief of Protocol 1st Lt. Kyle DeRoner, provided exceptional support to the world's only multi-nationally manned flying training program in earning the award. Over the course of 2013, the 80th Flying Training Wing Protocol Office hosted over 400 distinguished visitors (DVs), including the Norwegian State Secretary, the Royal Netherlands Air Force commander and the German Air Force Chief of Staff. From the U.S., DVs included the Air Force Chief of Staff civic leaders, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, the Assistant USAF Chief of Staff, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the AETC commander and the Allied Air Component Headquarters Commander. The team also facilitated over 95 wing mission briefs to senior U.S. and NATO representatives, building relationships between 13 NATO partner nations - essential to the success of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program. Among the many accomplishments, the 80th FTW Protocol office set the standard across the MAJCOM for the execution of a wing change of command ceremony following the reconstruction of ceremonial procedures. "Our goal is to not only make sure the proper customs and courtesies are followed, but to make each and every distinguished visitor feel like they are part of the ENJJPT family," Houck said. The office will now represent AETC at the Air Force level competition. Congratulations to the 80th Flying Training Wing Protocol office!