Nellis services garner accolades from ACC, Air Force Published July 11, 2008 By Senior Airman Andrew Dumboski Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Team Nellis took home four best-in-the-Air-Force Services awards. From the 99th Services Squadron, Zina Cage was named Air Force Services Volunteer of the Year, the Air Force Services Air Reserve Component Senior NCO of the Year was Master Sgt. John Sorenson and Child Development Centers One and Two were recognized as the Air Force Child Development Program of the Year. Also for the second year running, the USAF Warfare Center Protocol office received the George Washington Award for Protocol Excellence. "It's nice to get an award for something I like to do," said Ms. Cage, 99th Services Squadron human resource assistant. Among the many hours she's donated to the Nellis community, Ms. Cage has volunteered as a driver for Airmen Against Drunk Driving, a program that picks up Airmen when their designated-driver plans fall through. In 2007, Ms. Cage organized an AADD week in her squadron, where she scheduled and managed 20 volunteers to help with the program. "I've always liked to help out in my community," she said. "It started with a blood drive years ago. I couldn't donate blood, but I still wanted to contribute. So, I worked the telephones and gave out refreshments to those who did give blood." Sergeant Sorenson, 99th Services Squadron food service superintendent, worked to improve the quality of life for all Airmen who visit Nellis' dining facilities. He obtained new carpeting and furniture in the facilities, and improved food operations to ensure support of all Red Flag exercises at Nellis. The Child Development Centers' efforts to improve the quality of life for the children in their care included a $740,000 project to open two new classrooms with 48 additional spaces for children. They also sent weekly photos and child-created art to family members deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. USAFWC Protocol's mission is to show distinguished visitors what Nellis, Creech and the Range bring to the fight. The office supports more than 7,200 distinguished visitors per year. Some of the visitors supported in 2007 include the King of Jordan, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a delegation of elected legislators from 40 different nations. "My favorite visitor was Former Secretary Wynne, even though I had a horrible cold at the time and survived on zero sleep that week," said Capt. Jamie Waaler, a member of the Protocol team. "His visit was an absolutely great experience. His security and support teams were a pleasure to work with, and the secretary himself was one of the most gracious visitors I have had the opportunity to host." "It is always a pleasure to connect visitors with the outstanding people and missions here. To be recognized by Air Combat Command and the Air Force for doing this is more evidence of how important the Nellis, Creech and Range missions are to America," said Lt. Col. Tony Millican, chief of Protocol. In Air Combat Command, the 99th Services Squadron's presence was also made known. The squadron had winners in 11 out of 23 categories. The ACC-level winners are: Lt. Col. Elizabeth Demmons - Services Field Grade Officer of the Year Master Sgt. Theodore Tett - Services SNCO of the Year Master Sgt. John Sorenson - Services Air Reserve Component SNCO of the Year Tech. Sgt. Irma Garza - Services Air Reserve Component NCO of the Year Carol Padilla - Services Civilian Manager of the Year Zina Cage - Services Volunteer Award "Best" Services Training Program "Best" Child Development Program "Best" Information, Ticket & Travel Program "Best" Collocated Club Program "Best" Bowling Program USAF Warfare Center Protocol Office - "Best" Protocol Program
