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Officials announce 2006 A/TA award winners

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ORLANDO, Fla. --  Airlift/Tanker Association officials recently announced the 2006 award winners for excellence within the air mobility community.

The association recognized 20 people in five categories. The Airmen were honored at its annual convention in Orlando, Oct. 30-31.

The Young Leadership Award is presented annually to 12 young people who have displayed performance excellence, outstanding professional skill, knowledge and leadership. The 2006 winners are:

- Staff Sgt. James L. Briscoe, HC-130P flying crew chief, 347th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

- Staff. Sgt. Jesse A. Dean, formal training unit C-130E instructor loadmaster, 62nd Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.

- Staff Sgt. James E. Ewing Jr., C-130E evaluator flight engineer, 37th Airlift Squadron Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

- Senior Airman Brendon S. Glanzer, personnel journeyman, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan.

- Capt. Kevin S. Griswold, C-17A instructor aircraft commander and wing executive officer, 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wash.

- Tech. Sgt. Brian P. Hilsher, Aerial Port Control Center channel mission manager, 18th Air Force, Scott AFB, Ill.

- Capt. Jason M. Kalin, readiness flight commander, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.

- Tech. Sgt. Charles E. King II, aircraft propulsion technician, 446th Maintenance Squadron, McChord AFB.

- Capt. Matthew W. Petro, KC-135 weapons officer and instructor pilot, 18th Operations Support Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan.

- Capt. Anthony R. Vahle, HC-130P co-pilot, 563rd Rescue Group, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.

- Capt. Edward R. Wagner, acquisition officer, C-17 Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

- Capt. Lara K Wills, C-17 aircraft commander, 728th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB.

The association's Huyser Award is presented annually to a pilot, navigator, flight engineer, boom operator and loadmaster, serving at the wing level or below, who have displayed outstanding proficiency and performance in flight duties; significant accomplishments; adaptability to unusual job assignments or difficult circumstances; acceptance of responsibility; and self-improvement efforts. The award is named after retired Gen. Robert E. "Dutch" Huyser, who commanded Military Airlift Command from 1979 to 1981. The 2006 Huyser Award winners are:

- Capt. Brian S. Choate, pilot, 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein AB.

- Capt. Christopher K. Fuller, navigator, 53rd Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB.

- Tech. Sgt. Erik C. Thompson, flight engineer, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

- Master Sgt. Alcaeus L. Ford, loadmaster, 41st Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.

- Senior Master Sgt. Todd Nelson Cole, boom operator, 351st Air Refueling Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom.

The association's Halvorsen Award is presented to an outstanding individual in the air transportation specialty for sustained excellence in aerial port operations. The award is named after retired Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, who gained fame during the Berlin Airlift as the "Candy Bomber." The 2006 winner is Master Sgt. Curtis L. Palmer, air terminal manager, 89th Mission Support Group, Andrews AFB, Md.

The association's Specialized Mission Award is presented to an outstanding individual whose performance of duties in support of an aerial air mobility mission is exceptionally noteworthy during crises, contingencies or humanitarian airlift; it is presented to people in career fields not covered by the Huyser Award categories. The 2006 winner is Tech. Sgt. Shannon D. McBee, plans and operations noncommissioned officer in-charge, 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB.

The association's Gen. P.K. Carlton Award for Valor is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates courage, strength, determination, bravery and fearlessness during a combat, contingency or humanitarian mission during the previous calendar year. The award is named for retired Gen. Paul K. Carlton, who commanded Military Airlift Command from 1972 to 1977. The 2006 winner is Capt. Lance C. Burnett, MC-130H instructor navigator, 15th SOS, Hurlburt Field.

The Airlift/Tanker Association is a private organization with open membership for people interested in defense matters that relate to the air mobility mission. Air Mobility Command administers the annual awards program.