JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command recently announced the winners of the command’s Fiscal Year 2024 Safety Awards. Numerous safety personnel from throughout Joint base San Antonio were among the winners.
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, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award CAT II
82nd Training Wing Safety, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award CAT III
14th Flying Training Wing Safety, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
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 Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Individual Aviation Maintenance Safety Award
Tech. Sgt. Rodney Roach, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
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 Air Force Base, New Mexico.
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 Air Force Base, Alabama.
Safety Individual Nuclear Surety Award
Staff Sgt. John F. Gaddis, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Safety NCO of the Year Award
Tech. Sgt. Victoria R. Colbourne, 58th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Safety Officer of the Year Award
Maj. Bradley T. Basek, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Safety SNCO of the Year Award
Master Sgt. Justin A. Tice, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Team Aviation Maintenance Safety Award
314th Maintenance Group Quality Assurance, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
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 Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Lahm Trophy
58th Special Operations Wing Flight Safety, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
“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!”