Wing members step out for Annual Awards banquet

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
CLINTON, Md. --  Amidst cowbells, air horns and fervent cheers, members of the 459th Air Refueling Wing convened at the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Md., Feb. 7 for recognition and camaraderie during the Fourth Annual Awards Banquet.

The banquet, coordinated by the First Sergeant's Council, Banquet Committee and Chief's Group, and sponsored by partners such as the 756th Squadron Association and the Andrews Federal Credit Union, honored military and civilian personnel.

Several of the awards were named specifically after people who significantly and positively impacted their respective fields.

The Charles Woodward Award, First Sergeant Award for Excellence, signifies "excellent performance of Air Force-related functions and ethical standards that demonstrate leadership abilities."

The Rudy Rodriguez Award, Company Grade Officer Award for Excellence, denotes the ability to "consistently motivate subordinates through willingness to lead by example" among other traits.

The Paul R. Julian Jr. Award, Excellence in Aviation, highlights those who display "superior Airmanship skills and knowledge, and possess the immense respect of supervisors, peers and fellow aviators."
Marianne Rodriguez and Joan Woodward, the respective widows of Rudy Rodriguez and Charles Woodward, were among the guests at the gala.

A committee of wing members selected winners based on three categories: Leadership and Performance in Primary Duty, Significant Self Improvement, and Base or Community Involvement. 

The winners were:
Airman -- Senior Airman Cassandra Brandon, 69th Aerial Port Squadron
Non-Commissioned Officer - Tech. Sgt. Christiana Budu, 459th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer - Master Sgt. Chester Taplette, 459th Security Forces Squadron
Company Grade Officer - Capt. Eugenia Ramirez, 459th Operations Group
Civilian - Ms. Cinderella Jones, 459th Communications Flight
Air Reserve Technician - (Staff Sgt.) DeQuincy Reed, 69th APS
Team - Maintenance Special Support Team
Aviator - Master Sgt. Jeremy Everly, 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
First Sergeant -- Master Sgt. Conrad Sullivan, 459th AMDS