Medical Wing Chapel staff wins AETC award Published Feb. 24, 2009 By Senior Airman Robert Barnett 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Education And Training Command officials recently announced the 2008 Chaplain Corps Team Award, Medium Chapel Organization category, recognizing the 59th Medical Wing Chapel Staff's efforts from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2008. The chapel staff will compete in the Air Force-level competition. "I'm humbled to be associated with the dedicated men and women of the 59th Medical Wing Chaplain Corps who are committed to providing the highest quality of spiritual care under battlefield or peacetime conditions," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Raymond Johnson, 59th MDW. Having a major impact for 27,000 in-patients, 5,600 staff, and five groups in the Air Force's "flagship" medical center are among the staff's many accomplishments during 2008. The staff supported 1,200 pre-deployment warfighters serving in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as the command's highest-tasked wing. They also partnered with the local community, supporting three pre-deployment moral-boosting outings for approximately 650 Airmen and families. "The winning of the award was a timely recognition of the important role the Air Force Chaplain Corps plays in the Air Force's overall success in keeping our nation and world safe," said Colonel Johnson, who directs the efforts of assigned chaplains and chaplain assistants in providing pastoral care to Wilford Hall Medical Center patients and staff. Colonel Johnson also serves as director of the wing's Clinical Pastoral Education Residency Program. "I would like to thank the men and women of the 59th Medical Wing, our patients and family members, and especially our senior leadership for supporting and guiding our process in making this day a reality for the 59th MDW Chaplain Corps team," said Colonel Johnson.