Range wing civilian named 'best in Air Force' Published June 28, 2010 By Caitlin Fairchild Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. - -- Being a wing ground safety manager is no small task, especially when the ground in question is a 2.9-million-acre range complex that includes 1,150 miles of road and over 600 employees. What some may consider a daunting task is just another day at the office for Mr. Joe Joseph, 98th Range Wing ground safety manager and recipient of the 2009 Air Force Safety Career Professional of the Year. Col. John Montgomery, 98th RANW Commander, recently presented Mr. Joseph with a trophy and the knowledge that he had won the award during a commander's call here. "I have the utmost appreciation for my supervisor and my commanders for the opportunities and flexibility to take advantage of special projects," Mr. Joseph said. "The way I look at it, I did the work, but it's the leadership who allowed me the opportunity to take initiative." His work has included a wide array of activities from completing safety analyses, including one overseeing over 150 miles of road, to investigating a $380,000 fire and led an initiative to provide laminated maps for range users, in order to reduc range users risk of getting lost or entering areas without authority. This is not the first award that Mr. Joseph has been presented with. Air Combat Command named him the 2009 Safety Professional of the Year and this April he won the ACC Professional Performer award and the ACC Ground Safety Award of Distinction. An ACC Program Management Evaluation Team also rated his ground safety program "Outstanding," which was a first for any Nellis wing in more than 12 years. Although the accolades have piled up, his love for the job, and the problem-solving it entails, has kept him working at the 98th RANW since January 2007. "Awards aren't why I do the job," Mr. Joseph asserts. "I like finding better ways of doing things and, in the case of mishap investigations, determining the cause and preventing it from happening again." Additionally, Mr. Joseph helps to improve the community outside of his official duties. As an active 98th RANW Booster Club member, Mr. Joseph participated in multiple fundraising events such as the NASCAR truck race, which raised funds to support wing events as well as a local high school band. While Mr. Joseph has invested countless hours of work, which earned him the award, he believes in the old adage of just exactly who stands behind every great man. He cites his wife, Shawn, as an indispensable foundation. "She has always supported me," Mr. Joseph said. "I work long hours because I really enjoy what I do, and she never complains about that. I just get total support from her. It's incredible."
