Wing leaders inspire Airmen at commander's call

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Shenk
  • Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Col. Heath J. Nuckolls, 94th Airlift Wing commander, held a commanders call July 11. It entailed two separate briefings; first for junior enlisted members and first line supervisors. The next briefing addressed Senior Non-commissioned Officers of the 94th AW. 

The first session opened with a Meritorious Service Medal, first oak leaf cluster presentation to Command Chief Master Sgt. John Anderson of the 94th AW. 

"We are doing big things, not only here at the wing, but around the world," said Colonel Nuckolls. "A member doesn't deploy alone. It takes the support from the Airmen who stayed behind for their deployment to be a success." 

During the second session of the enlisted call for senior NCO's, the Bronze Star was presented to Senior Master Sgt. Antoine Thomas, 94th Civil Engineer Squadron, for his actions during a recent deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.

Both sessions included award presentations to the annual and quarterly award winners. The winners included Senior Airman Robert Colbert , Airman of the Quarter, Tech. Sgt. Glen Saunders, NCO of the Quarter, Senior Airman Anthony Toste, Airman of the Year, Tech. Sgt Mathew Ripley, NCO of the Year, Tech. Sgt James Branch, Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Public Affairs Print Journalist of the Year, Tech. Sgt. Nick Ontiveros, 

AFRC PA 3rd place in Graphics/Art Category, Airman Chelsea Gitzen, AFRC PA 3rd place in News Photography Category, Master Sgt. Andre Nolte, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter, Senior Master Sgt. Scott Yoder, SNCO of the Year and Master Sgt. Carl Vandiver, First Sergeant of the Year.

"We are recognizing greatness," said Chief Anderson. "I want every Airman here to work hard and end up on that front row." 

Chief Master Sergeant John Anderson, the 94th AW Command Chief Master Sergeant, also addressed the Airman here at Dobbins. He spoke of the immense impact that Airman and NCO's have on the Air Force and other service branches. He highlighted this point with his story of a 22 year old Airman Lauren Yancy from Dobbins who recently deployed as an aeromedical evacuation technician, currently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Airman Yancy is assigned to an expeditionary medical unit, where wounded troops are treated and evacuated. The Command Chief also mentioned that because of Airman Yancy's efforts, the lives of wounded soldiers are saved every day. 

"Airmanship is paramount," said Chief Anderson. "It's very important that Airmen practice and maintain it when we deploy in joint environments." 

Commanders' calls serve as vital tools for senior ranking members to communicate information to the Airmen serving under their command. They also allow Airmen to ask questions and communicate directly with the commander. The one held here was instrumental in both communicating to servicemembers of the wing , and providing an avenue for any questions that were brought up to be answered. 

Both sessions concluded with the reciting of the Airman's Creed by Airman 1st Class Terence D. Abercrombie from the 94th Maintenance Squadron and Airman Chelsea Gitzen from 94th AW Public Affairs. 

"The Air Force core values are instilled in every Airman during basic training," said Chief Anderson. "Those core values are exemplified in the Airman's Creed. It's what we're built on: integrity, service and excellence."