AFN Incirlik wins big at DoD level

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alex Martinez
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Incirlik American Forces Network Detachment 7 earned the 2009 Affiliate of the Year Award, a prestigious award that covers all affiliates throughout the Department of Defense.

The recognition capped off a busy yet rewarding year packed with events within the 39th Air Base Wing that broadcasted throughout military news outlets globally.

"It's amazing to have won an award like this," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lichtenberg, the AFN Incirlik Affiliate operations manager. "The community here is so close, and we get to be a part of that. The wing accepts us with open arms, and we couldn't have won this without its support."

Sergeant Lichtenberg helped with many of the events that led to the detachment's win. Events that included organizing and executing the wing's first Air Force Assistance Fund 12-hour telethon which raised more than $5,500; Developing and maintaining a crisis communication plan using radio and television outlets which can send important information to the 3,200 base members; and traveling to geographically separated units throughout Turkey to create stories and conduct hometown news holiday greetings.

"I think our office shares the same desire to go above and beyond what's expected," Sergeant Lichtenberg said. "Our office is filled with creative and motivated people, so to earn an award to match their efforts is amazing."

Efforts put forth by Airmen like Staff Sgt. William Knight, the AFN Incirlik Affiliate broadcast producer, also contributed to the award win. Airman Knight filled in for the NCOIC of the office for about six weeks and under his supervision, all stories produced by the office in September were broadcasted globally.

"It's really great to win this award," Sergeant Knight said. "Broadcasting is such a great Air Force tool, so it's nice to share what we do here with all of DoD."

The detachment maintains the AFN television services on base as well as radio shows that broadcast locally.

"A lot of hard work went into this last year so this is a nice award to receive," said Airman 1st Class Kathryn Lozier, AFN Incirlik. "We came together as a team and made it an awesome year."

AFN Incirlik has many projects planned for the next year to include another AFAF telethon in March.