‘Best of the Best’ in AETC Safety for 2024 Published Dec. 6, 2024 By Tim Barela Air Education and Training Command Safety Directorate JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command announced the winners of the command’s Fiscal Year 2024 Safety Awards. On behalf of Maj. Gen. Clark J. Quinn, deputy commander of AETC, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, the AETC Safety Directorate released the list of the “best of the best” safety teams and professionals for the past year. “These awards are vital because they recognize the outstanding performers of the entire safety community,” said Col. Will Phillips, AETC director of safety. “Our safety experts work every day to protect our Airmen and preserve key resources for the defense of our nation. We want to congratulate those who have raised the bar with their achievements and extend our best wishes for their continued success.” The following AETC award recipients will go on to compete at the Air Force level: Director of Safety Aircrew of Distinction Award Sully 1 and Sully 2 (Maj. Garen P. Jeppesen, 39th Flying Training Squadron; Capt. Rex A. Ritchie, 435th Flying Training Squadron; 1st Lt. Landon J. Compton, 355th Training Squadron, JBSA-Randolph, Texas Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award CAT I 502nd Air Base Wing Safety, JBSA, Texas Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award CAT II 82nd Training Wing Safety, Sheppard AFB, Texas Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award CAT III 14th Flying Training Wing Safety, Columbus AFB, Miss. Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award CAT IV 59th Medical Wing Safety, JBSA-Lackland, Texas Director of Safety Special Achievement Award 58th Special Operations Wing Safety, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Individual Aviation Maintenance Safety Award Tech. Sgt. Rodney Roach, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz. Individual Weapons Safety Award Rudolph Martinez, 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron, JBSA-Randolph, Texas Koren Kolligian Jr. Award Maj. William D. Strelke, 560th Flying Training Squadron, JBSA-Randolph, Texas Occupational Safety Career Professional of the Year Award Tech. Sgt. Victoria R. Colbourne, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Occupational Safety Civilian of the Year Award Algeron Johnson, 502nd Air Base Wing, JBSA-Lackland, Texas Safety Civilian Professional of the Year Award Mark A. Garner, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Safety Individual Nuclear Surety Award Staff Sgt. John F. Gaddis, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Safety NCO of the Year Award Tech. Sgt. Victoria R. Colbourne, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Safety Officer of the Year Award Maj. Bradley T. Basek, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Safety SNCO of the Year Award Master Sgt. Justin A. Tice, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M. Team Aviation Maintenance Safety Award 314th Maintenance Group Quality Assurance, Little Rock AFB, Ark. Team Weapons Safety Award 502nd Air Base Wing Weapons Safety, JBSA-Lackland, Texas The following are AETC awards (MAJCOM-only): Unit Safety Representative of the Year Richard A. Martinez, 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M Lahm Trophy 58th Special Operations Wing Flight Safety, Kirtland AFB, N.M. “I greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by those supervisors and commanders to recognize their superior performers,” Phillips said. “Good luck to all who will compete at the Air Force-level competition!”