Voices of Incirlik capture award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Every day the words, "You're listening to AFN the eagle" fill the airwaves of Team Incirlik's homes, schools and office buildings. The Airmen behind these words which inspire hours of fun, laughter and morale around base, are not only the "voice" of Incirlik Air Base, but also award winners.

On March 5, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa announced that American Forces Network-Incirlik was the recipient of AFN Europe's 2014 Station of the Year Award small category.

"Our guys have worked hard all year on a lot of big projects putting in many hours," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Zier, AFN-Incirlik station manager. "This award is justification for everyone's hard work over the last year. This was a true team effort which everyone contributed to. It's very satisfying knowing all their hard work is being recognized."

Zier also explained the win was in large part due to the team's effectiveness in communicating with their customers.

"We provide a valuable command information tool that nobody else can achieve," Zier said. We can deliver a message straight to people's homes, which is important to be able to communicate with families."

Over the last year, 22 Airmen, which included broadcast journalists and communication maintainers, contributed to AFN-Incirlik's win for 2014. In total, Incirlik-AFN beat out 12 other small category AFNs from USAFE.

According to Airman 1st Class Sieana Mackiewicz, AFN-Incirlik broadcast journalist, the reason for the award is the team's dedication and innovative communication products.

"I know that innovation is always a big deal in the Air Force and we've been doing some pretty cool different things here," Mackiewicz said. "Our products help promote ourselves, which in return gets our message to our customers and helps better support the wing."

AFN-Incirlik broadcasters provide timely television and radio broadcasts to more than 5,500 DOD service members, dependents and civilians in Turkey. These broadcasters also provide command and community news as well as provide information about important issues concerning Incirlik AB and Turkey.

"As a team I'm really proud," said Zier. "We set a goal last year and achieved it. They should all be extremely proud of the hard work and energy that went into being successful."