57th Wing recognizes its annual award winners Published Feb. 12, 2013 By Nellis Public Affairs 99th Air Base Wing NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The 57th Wing leadership recently announced its award winners for 2012 at a banquet held Feb. 8. The awards recognize Airmen and civilians in the 57th Wing who have performed exceedingly well in the workplace and have made outstanding contributions to the local community over the past year. The keynote speaker for the event was Command Chief Master Sgt. Robert A. Ellis, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Chief Ellis serves as the primary advisor to the commander on matters concerning the mission effectiveness, readiness, training, health, welfare and morale of more than 10,000 Airmen organized into four wings and one named activity serving at 31 locations in 20 states. Below is the list of the awards and winners. 57th Wing Category I Civilian Employee of the Year: Ms. Julie M. Lynch, 65th Aggressor Squadron 57th Wing Category II Civilian Employee of the Year: Mr. Curtis S. Klitzka, 547th Intelligence Squadron 57th Wing Category III Civilian Employee of the Year: Mr. Richard E. Helmick, 414th Combat Tactics Squadron 57th Wing Category IV Civilian Employee of the Year: Ms. Melodye A. Williams, 414th Combat Tactics Squadron 57th Wing Airman of the Year: SSgt Michael D. Burns, 12th Combat Tactics Squadron 57th Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: TSgt Richard D. Lawson, 12th Combat Tactics Squadron 57th Wing Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: MSgt Christopher M. Gremling, 527th Space Aggressor Squadron 57th Wing First Sergeant of the Year: MSgt Brian C. Noethlich, 57th Operations Support Squadron 57th Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt Kenneth McCall, United States Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School 57th Wing Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj Jennifer L. Gurganus, United States Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School 57th Wing Rated Flight Commander of the Year: Maj Christopher L. Winklepleck, 77th Weapons School Squadron 57th Wing Nonrated Flight Commander of the Year: Capt Elizabeth Vaccaro, 57th Operations Support Squadron 57th Wing Rated Instructor of the Year: Maj Daniel J. Lehoski, 433rd Weapons School Squadron 57th Wing Nonrated Instructor of the Year: Capt Seth I. Gilpin, United States Air Force Weapons School 57th Wing Squadron of the Year: 57 Maintenance Squadron
