Aviano Airmen garner top honors in USAFE media contest

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Four 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs photographers and journalists stepped out from the behind the scenes this week to claim top honors in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Media Contest.

Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon earned the USAFE Photographer of the Year title, while Airman 1st Class Ashley Wood garnered the USAFE Outstanding New Photographer of the Year title. Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver took first place in the photojournalism and portrait photo categories and Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor took first place in the series article category.

"I wasn't surprised when the media contest results were released because I already knew my staff was doing amazing work," said 2nd Lt. Brian Wagner, 31st FW Public Affairs deputy chief. "They work hard to support the base in many ways and to get recognized at the command-level is a testament to their abilities."

Sergeant Dixon, a six-year veteran, has been an Air Force photographer for about four and a half years, which includes an assignment with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, N.C., before being stationed here.

"I enjoy documenting history in the making and being an integral part of telling the stories of people's lives," he said. "I feel if photos aren't taken then who can really prove an event (good or bad) really happened."

During the competition, Sergeant Dixon and Airman Wood both had to submit photographs spanning at least three of seven categories including news, feature, sports, portrait/personality, illustrative, pictorial and combat documentation.

Sergeant Dixon's photos covered the news, feature, portrait/personality, pictorial and combat documentation categories.

"When they told me I had won I just hoped they had the right name," Sergeant Dixon said. "I knew I was competing against some good photographers in USAFE and was seriously surprised and humbled. This would not have been possible without the experience and training handed down to me from the photographers I've had the pleasure of working with during my career."

Airman Wood, who has been working alongside Sergeant Dixon at Aviano since September 2007, said she has enjoyed her first duty assignment here as an Air Force photographer and was also surprised by her win.

"I couldn't believe I won," she said. "I was very excited."

The outstanding new photographer category recognizes Airmen who have been working in photography for less than two years. Airman Wood's submission included photos in the news, portrait/personality, pictorial and combat documentation categories.

"I had a lot of help from Tech. Sgt. (Charlene) Sheets and Sergeant Dixon in getting my package together," said Airman Wood. "They've taught me a lot during my time at Aviano." 

Sergeant Weaver, a five-year veteran, is on his second PA assignment, following a three-year tour to Eielson AFB, Alaska.

A native of Africa, it was his coverage of a 31st Medical Group humanitarian mission to Mali, Africa, near his homeland, that led to his two first place finishes.

"I was surprised to hear that my photos were selected," said Sergeant Weaver. "The competition was tough and there were a lot of good photos - I really didn't think I stood a chance. During my trip to Mali, I had another photographer with me that really helped me work on my photo techniques. Having a good mentor and a bit of luck seemed to have worked out well for me."

Sergeant Weaver said he enjoys being part of the public affairs career field, especially with the wealth of knowledge it encompasses with its recent merger with the photography and broadcasting career fields.

"This job gives me the opportunity to experience everyone's career field and to see how the Air Force works together to accomplish its mission," he said. "I've had the chance to cover events throughout the world that I never could have imagined doing."

Sergeant O'Connor, who also works closely with Sergeant Weaver as his supervisor, has been in the public affairs career field for 10 years now, having cross-trained from the supply career field in 1999.

During 2008, Sergeant O'Connor deployed alongside Sergeant Dixon to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing where he wrote a three-part feature series on the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron "combat truckers" that not only garnered the team international recognition as his aticles were picked up by numerous media outlets worldwide, but also garnered him first place honors in the USAFE media contest.

"I feel this award is another victory for the LRS career fields that support the 586th ELRS' line-haul convoy operation mission throughout Iraq and the Persian Gulf Region," he said. "The heroic and patriotic Airmen of the 586th ELRS made these stories possible."

"The award also brings more attention to the unique Air Force mission these Airmen are doing downrange," he added. "That's what is most important - telling their story and sharing it with as many people as possible."

All of the USAFE winners' packages are now being reviewed by the Air Force-level competition judges. The results should be released in the coming months.