MANSFIELD, Ohio — The 179th Airlift Wing held their annual Wing Awards Banquet on Saturday night, the largest yet, according to Col. Gary McCue.
“We probably had around 250 people here today,” said McCue.
Of the roughly 250 in attendance were Senator Larry Obhof, Congress Representative Ryan Dilworth, Mayor of Mansfield Tim Theaker, Brig. Gen. Todd Audet, Shelia Larson, wife of former commander, Ret. Brig. Gen. Fred N. Larson; State Command Chief Master Sgt. of Ohio Phillip Smith; VFW sponsors Terry Ellis and Julie Wilkinson; and AMVETS sponsor Robert Booth.
The banquet was held in the R&L Banquet Center on Fifth Avenue in Mansfield.
Awards presented were Airman of the Year, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, CGO of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year, Honor Guard Member of the Year and the Minuteman Award.
The recipients of each award will continue to compete at the state level in January. The winners of state-level awards will then move on to the national level.
Airman of the year
Staff Sgt. Joseph M. Leitz.
Nominees: Senior Airman Kevin C. Forney, Senior Airman Douglas P. Noblet III, Senior Airman John C. Worcester, SRA Alan N. Haddad, Staff Sgt. Joseph M. Leitz and Airman 1st Class Diamond K. Vickers.
Non-Commissioned Officer of the year
Staff Sgt. Taylor L. Keltz.
Nominees: Staff Sgt. Carson L. Early, Tech. Sgt. Sandy L. Gurnsey, Tech Sgt. Matthew J. Isganitis, Staff Sgt. Taylor L. Keltz, Tech. Sgt. Brian L. Taffin, Tech Sgt. Annette I. Foust and Staff Sgt. Cynthia L. Stockmaster.
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the year
Master Sgt. Michael D. Casto.
Nominees: Master Sgt. Kelli M. Maragliano, Master Sgt. Derek E. Netzly, Master Sgt. Francisco R. Rivera-Hernandez, Master Sgt. Amber J. Slone, Master Sgt. Stephen D. Smith, Senior Master Sgt. Scott A. Stoner, Master Sgt. Wendy D. Atwell and Master Sgt. Michael D. Casto.
Company Grade Officer of the year
2nd Lt. Andrew J. Pepin.
Nominees: Capt. Eric M. O’Connor, 2nd Lt. Andrew J. Pepin and Capt. Randy E. Barlow.
First Sergeant of the year
Master Sgt. James M. Perry.
Honor Guard Member of the year
Staff Sgt. Alexander G. Elmlinger.
Minuteman Award
Director of Psychological Heath Vivian Winters
Once all awards were presented, Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Jones took the podium and made closing remarks to all the nominees.
“I just wanted to say that we really do have something special here. It’s like a family out there (on the air base),” said so and so. “We had 27 nominees for our awards here tonight. … The competition was extremely tough. So I just want you to know every one of you has nothing to hang your head about. You are our leaders in our wing. You’re our mentors, the one’s we look up to.”
McCue said he is proud to be part of the 179th Airlift Wing family.
“They’re so sharp, such great folks. I always tell folks, anyone who has doubts about this generation, all they have to do is come out to this unit and see these people, talk to them and they will allay all those fears,” said McCue.
