Aviano garners eight Air Force Manpower, Personnel Awards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Eight 31st Force Support Squadron and 31st Fighter Wing staff agency organizations and individuals recently garnered top honors in the 2008 Air Force Manpower and Personnel (A1) competition.

Among the winners, were the Military Personnel Section, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Protocol Office, Arts and Crafts Center, Alicia O'Peirce, Senior Master Sgt. Paul Pellow, Master Sgt. Sonya Hildebrand and Airman 1st Class Kaisy Clark.

"Seeing everyone's extraordinary efforts and sacrifices rewarded gives me an overwhelming sense of pride and satisfaction," said Maj. Jason Janaros, 31st FSS commander. "This is what you live for as a commander.

"The amount of talent assembled in this squadron is staggering, but what's really impressed me from day one is their unwavering professionalism, standards of excellence and selfless dedication to the mission - both in garrison and downrange."

The Military Personnel Section, which supports more than 10,000 active duty and retired military members, Department of Defense employees and family members dispersed over six geographical locations and four countries from initial in-processing, career progression, military professional development, deployments, reenlistments, family care, casualty reporting and assistance, to final out-processing, won the Gerrit D. Foster Jr. Outstanding Military Personnel Program (Small Base) award.

During 2008, the MPS led three real-world personnel deployment function lines (mobility lines), during which time they processed 241 Airmen and negated more than 2,500 errors resulting in zero discrepancies downrange.

MPS Airmen and civilians also volunteered more than 1,000 hours of their time supporting the base and local community through such programs and activities as Airmen Against Drunk Driving, Race for the Cure, Operation Yellow Ribbon, Clean-a-Highway Program, and facility beautification projects.

"Everyone in the MPS from our enlisted members to our officers and civilians do a fantastic job day-in and day-out," said Capt. Ronnie Walden, 31st FSS MPS chief. "Now is the time for everyone to enjoy and savor this moment, because being the recipient of an award like this is rare in today's competitive, high-speed Air Force. I couldn't be prouder of them."

The Airman and Family Readiness Center also received a small base category award as the Air Force Airman and Family Readiness Program of the Year.

Two programs in particular, including the Spouse It Up and Newcomer's Orientation programs were highlighted among some of the AFRC's best.

The Spouse It Up Program, which offers free gatherings for military spouses about six times a year with activities and food, allowed more than 1,800 geographically separated spouses within the base community to make informal connections and build a support system to help combat some of the challenges unique to Aviano.

The Newcomer's Orientation Program, which includes a two-day Italian class and tour, was also identified as an Aviano "best practice." The program ensured more than 2,000 new Airmen and their families were acclimated to the base and its surroundings.

"We have an awesome team of professionals here at the AFRC culminating years of experience which has depth and breath," said Jane Hammonds, AFRC chief. "The services we provide, whether deployment, employment, financial, relocation, transition, Air Force Aid, family or volunteerism are designed and delivered based on customer needs. The team's expertise and professionalism in meeting those needs of the Aviano community was integral to this recognition."

The base protocol office was also honored in the Air Force A1 competition with the George Washington Award for Protocol Excellence (Base-level Protocol Office).

During the award period, the office hosted 113 distinguished visitors, 14 inspection teams, planned 119 events and 20 change of command ceremonies.

"This is up 75 percent from last year, with a brand new NCO in charge and I was deployed for four months," said Capt. Rachel Hindelang, 31st FW Protocol chief. "This is a huge achievement and a testament to the ability of those who worked in my office during this award period."

"I'm also extremely proud of the innovations and improvements we have instituted in our office," she said. "They have streamlined our processes, negated errors and we are working smarter instead of harder."

The Arts and Crafts Center, which also encompasses the auto hobby and wood shops, was also recognized as the Air Force Arts and Crafts Program of the Year.

During 2008, the facilities averaged about 38 oil changes, 25 vehicle repairs, and 100 engraving, framing and wood projects per week.

Some of its noted programs include the Auto All-nighters, which offer extended hours for self-help customers and provide free food and drinks; the Roadside Emergency Maintenance classes for spouses of deployed members; and the Art Club, which offers a setting for art enthusiasts to meet bi-weekly and learn different drawing and sculpting techniques.

"I began working as the Arts and Crafts Center director in mid-January 2009," said Donna Sommer, 31st FSS. "I was excited to begin work here and continue my passion, but even more so when I found the Arts and Crafts Center team was recognized at the Air Force-level."

"Being number one requires beyond excellence in the quality of service, programs and a positive attitude," she said. "This win wasn't accomplished by just one person, but by the hard work of a number one team. It is an honor and a privilege to serve with the best.

In the individual A1 categories, Ms. O'Peirce, 31st FSS Community Services Flight chief, was named the Air Force Services Civilian Flight Chief of the Year (Base-level).

As the chief of the largest flight in the 31st FSS, which encompasses 12 facilities, Ms. O'Peirce directs more than 175 civilian employees and executed more than 200 events this past year.
Ms. O'Peirce, who has been with the Department of Defense since 1996 and the Air Force since 2003, said she prides herself on participating in unit physical training with the military members in her squadron bi-weekly.

"I'm most proud of successfully overcoming the challenge of leading such a large and diverse flight, which is part of the 31st FSS -- recently named best FSS in the Air Force with the 2008 Eubank Award," said Ms. O'Peirce. "On a personal level, I am also proud of my accomplishment of participating in our commander-led squadron PT program, which is not an easy feat as many will attest. The PT really brings the FSS family together, building teamwork and camaraderie amongst our squadron."

Sergeant Pellow, also a member of the 31st FSS, was named the Air Force Senior Enlisted Education and Training Manager of the Year (Base-level).

During 2008, the 22-year veteran and superintendent of base training, was noted for voluntarily managing testing for the Baghdad, Iraq, Region that directly supported 60,000 U.S. and coalition forces during an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment.

"My organization was very supportive when I volunteered to deploy," said Sergeant Pellow. "Being deployed gave me the opportunity to work with all branches of the military for the first time in my career. It was gratifying to be able to help these individuals reach their educational goals while deployed."

The Senior NCO also served as the Aviano Top 3 president overseeing 14 wing-related sub committees and a $25,000 budget.

"Serving as president of the Aviano Top 3 was a great opportunity to get involved with many different people and programs within the wing," he said.

Sergeant Hildebrand, also an Aviano Top 3 member, was recognized as the Air Force Equal Opportunity Director of the Year (Base-level).

The 20-year veteran and 31st FW Equal Opportunity director, said she is most proud of completing the 2008 merger between the military equal opportunity and equal employment opportunity programs on base as well as resolving several equal opportunity complaints that could have been costly for the wing and damaging for the units.

"In completing the merger of MEO and EEO, we took on a whole new program with limited experience and manning," she said.

The Senior NCO said she is also proud of the volunteer hours she had dedicated to the base and community as well as the time she has dedicated toward obtaining her master's degree.

"It's important to educate yourself and take classes when you can," she said. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of the educational assistance the military offers."

Airman Clark, who was named the Air Force Personnel Specialist of the Year, has since completed a permanent change of station move to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and was unavailable for comment.

"It was never our intent to simply merge two squadrons (as was the case with the 31st Mission Support Squadron and 31st Services Squadron into the 31st FSS last year), it was to become a family," said Major Janaros. "'One Force, One Fight ... All Day, All Night' quickly became our battle cry, and more importantly, has become the secret to our success.

"To win six Air Force-level awards (and eight within the A1 community) in our first year as an FSS is a tremendous honor, and one which we do not take lightly nor for granted. I just want to ensure my folks savor it and appreciate just how significant these accomplishments are."