11th Wing announces top performers of 2008 Published Feb. 25, 2009 By Master Sgt. Marilyn C. Holliday 11th Wing Public Affairs BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- More than 200 Airmen, Air Force civilians and military family members gathered at the Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., Club Feb. 26 to honor the 11th Wing's top performers of 2008 during the Annual Awards Banquet. "Tonight we celebrated the best of the best from our Wing of heroes," said Col. Jon A. Roop, 11th Wing commander. "It was a night filled with the joy of family and respect of peers for the incredible achievements of the Chief's Own. Chief [Robin] Johnson and I look forward to encouraging all Bolling Airmen to realize another year of dedicated service to our mission and community," he said. Military and civilian nominees are selected on the basis of leadership and job performance in primary duties, significant self-improvement, and base and community involvement. The volunteer awards are based on total number of hours volunteered, specific accomplishments and impact of service, effect of innovative solutions and other considerations. Individual winners recognized during the event and their award categories are: Senior Airman Whitney S. Rooks - 11th Wing Airman of the Year Airman Rooks is an installation patrolman with the 11th Security Forces Squadron. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she safeguarded more than $3 billion in assets. She provided command and control for 11 patrols and secured more than 240 aircraft on Department of Defense's busiest runway. She maintained security in the face of more than 125 rocket and mortar attacks, protecting coalition forces with zero casualties. Airman Rooks is pursuing his associate's degree and completed six credit hours while deployed. She also volunteered 20 hours at the medical care unit supporting Iraqi children during her deployment. Staff Sgt. Carmen F. Hassell - 11th Wing NCO of the Year Sergeant Hassell is the NCO In Charge for Supply for the United States Air Force Honor Guard. "She is a phenomenal NCO and accomplished professional," Lt Col. Anthony Taylor, Honor Guard commander, wrote in her nomination package. As the unit resource advisor, she analyzed and managed a $900K budget. She also is responsible for $1.9 million in equipment and supplies, requisitioning 30K in assets with zero mission failures. She also spearheaded a two-year inventory backlog, maximizing storage space and exposing concealed assets, leading to a $150K Air Force savings. She is enrolled with University of Maryland College and completed six credits toward her bachelor's degree in accounting. Master Sergeant Steven P. West - 11th Wing SNCO of the Year Sergeant West is the drill team flight chief for the United States Air Force Honor Guard. "He is an example for all military members to emulate," Colonel Taylor wrote in Sergeant West's nomination package. "He represents the Air Force's finest." Sergeant West led more than 750 Airmen in 16 full honors funerals and also orchestrated scheduling and direction for 714 ceremonies with 100 percent mission success. Sergeant West shared the Air Force story through 112 drills, embedding the Air Force footprint during 13 high school and 17 Air Force base performances in 50 cities. He completed 12 credit hours toward his bachelor's degree in management studies. Capt. Brent A. Mundie - 11th Wing CGO of the Year Captain Mundie is the drill team flight commander for the United States Air Force Honor Guard. He commanded the 11th Wing's most visible flight, showcasing the Air Force for audiences of senior leaders and Airmen during 113 missions that entailed 165 temporary duty days. He was the officer and charge and commander of troops for 123 funerals, drills and DoD and Air Force-level events. Captain Mundie was also the drill team leader for three separate Air Force Weeks in Philadelphia, Penn.; Omaha, Neb.; and Los Angeles, Calif. He completed 15 hours towards his master's degree at Webster University. Master Sgt. Jeffrey W. Keen - First Sergeant of the Year Sergeant Keen is the first sergeant for the 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Sergeant Keen led the commander's support staff consolidation, merging three billets with no service loss. He also quarterbacked 16 non-judicial punishment cases, instructing both supervisors and the commander on the process. He also sets the standard, conducting a robust physical training program, weekly dorm visits and open ranks inspections. He deployed to Eagle Flag and executed beddown for 288 airmen. He has earned his second Community College of the Air Force degree in human resource management. Rebecca Sanchez - Civilian Category I of the Year Ms. Sanchez is a secretary for the 11th Services Squadron. She was the key project officer for the recent Eubank Evaluation Team visit. In 2008, she completely revamped the 11th Services administrative section, updating file plans and bulletin boards with 100 percent accuracy. She developed automated internal controls for 26 activities and improved suspenses from 85 to 100 percent compliancy. Thomas B. Parker - Civilian Category II of the Year Mr. Parker is a vehicle operator for the 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron. He expertly moved 40 passengers 1,500 miles during the Air Force Band concert series. He also spearheaded the transportation requirements for the Band during the Daytona 500 opening ceremony. Mr. Parker was also deeply involved with distinguished visitor, Congressional delegation and air attaché support. He taught the local orientation program, which standardized training routes and slashed delays by 70 percent. Thomas Versichelli - Civilian Category III of the Year Mr. Versichelli is the antiterrorism officer for the 11th Wing. He was selected as the 2008 Air Force District of Washington's top Antiterrorism Program Manager. He developed standardized threat working group member training and table top exercise scenarios and also designed the Wing's Antiterrorism Community of Practice web page. He also educated 40 facility managers on force protection condition procedures, improving response support. Master Sgt. Yolanda Knapp - Military Volunteer of the Year Sergeant Knapp is the 11th Civil Engineers Squadron unit training manager and the 11th Wing's Military Volunteer of the Year. "Phenomenal service and commitment," Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Carroll, former 11th CES commander, wrote in her nomination package. "Service before self and energetic ability to meet mission goals and community involvement established a benchmark performance that's leadership at its best. Her 496 hours of dedication to others encompasses leading Wing-wide functions and squadron initiatives, as well as spearheading local community projects and getting others involved." Sergeant Knapp's community involvement included being the lead member for the Wing's holiday party, Squadron Booster Club secretary, organizing a squadron picnic for deployed returnees and serving as security NCOIC at the Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB, Md. John D. Hill - Civilian Volunteer of the Year Mr. Hill is a contract specialist for the 11th Contracting Squadron and he is the 11th Wing's Civilian Volunteer of the Year. "Committed parent, neighbor and Wingman," Capt. Gerald Allen, supervisor, wrote in Mr. Hill's nomination package. "Mr. Hill's motivation comes from his desire to make things better. His countless volunteer efforts inspire others to become involved within their squadron, base and local community, all in which he is very active." Mr. Hill participated in his neighborhood Clean Up Day and also was the unit's social coordinator, organizing end of year and farewell luncheons for PCSing and deploying members. He is also an active volunteer with his church. 11th Security Forces Squadron - Squadron of the Year The 11th SFS took home the Squadron of the Year honors for 2008. The SFS was tasked to 15 sites in 10 countries with more than 90 members deploying. The squadron members also supported more than 800 high visibility events for more than 100,000 guests. Squadron members took the lead during the Joint Services Open House at Andrews and integrated more than 100 Airmen from the Wing into security efforts for the open house. Members from the squadron also logged more than 2,000 hours of community service supporting base, schools, churches and scouts from the area.