News

Legends made at the 436th AW 2018 Annual Awards

  • Published
  • By Roland Balik
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER, Del. --  The 436th Airlift Wing recognized this year’s military and civilian “legends” during the 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony held Feb. 1, 2019, at the Rollins Center in Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Dover, Delaware.

Embracing a “Legends of Tomorrow” theme, nearly 340 fellow Team Dover members, honorary commanders, local civic leaders, community partners, sponsors, friends and family came out to support 48 nominees and five teams, who competed in their respective categories.

Leading this year’s annual awards committee were Capt. Joel Starkey, 3rd Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot, and Senior Master Sgt. James Monteleone, 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron lead production superintendent.

“I would like to thank the wing, committee members and community sponsors for all their support in making this a memorable event,” said Monteleone.

This year’s committee treated attendees to a Hollywood-style event similar to the Golden Globes or Screen Actors Guild awards, replete with two emcees, who kept the evening upbeat and flowing at a lightning-fast pace: Master Sgts. Zina Dromov, 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 3 flight chief, and Tanya Miller, 436th Medical Group patient advocate officer.

“Legends of our past help propel our Airmen of today into the legends of tomorrow, through great feats in their actions and words of wisdom,” said Miller. “Past legends are not to be forgotten but studied and revered through military heritage, thus promoting the legends of tomorrow. The Airmen in attendance, nominees and tonight’s recipients have all embodied the morals, values and beliefs of our Air Force legends. They have turned them into spectacular feats of integrity, service and excellence. We are here to recognize the hardworking individuals that have performed at the highest levels and placed themselves at the upper echelon of Dover AFB.”

After dinner and a short intermission, the moment came that we were all waiting for.

“The legends of tomorrow: the men and women who have stood out amongst the masses, the nominees and recipients of the 436th AW 2018 Annual Awards,” said Dromov. “These civilians, officers and enlisted airmen have forged the path into the future. They represent the best of the best and have worked extremely hard this year, cementing themselves as Dover AFB’s ‘future legends.’”

Col. Joel Safranek, 436th AW commander, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, 436th AW command chief, took center stage to present the coveted eagle trophies as the previous wing annual award winners opened the envelope to announce the Legends of 2018:

Airman Service Award of the Year: Senior Airman Stephanie Bandolin, Mission Support Group

Volunteer Service Award of the Year: Ms. Kristi Tylman, Wing Staff Agency

Civilian Employee of the Year Category One: Mrs. Stephanie Harrison, Operations Group

Civilian Employee of the Year Category Two: Mrs. Dawne Nickerson-Banez, Wing Staff Agency

Civilian Employee of the Year Category Three: Ms. Carmel-Ann Feliciani, Wing Staff Agency

Key Spouse of the Year: Mrs. Kelsey Messina, Maintenance Group

Honor Guard Member of the Year: Airman 1st Class Autumn Parker, Maintenance Group

First Sergeant of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Collazo, Mission Support Group

Team of the Year: Public Affairs, Wing Staff Agency

Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Olivia Lozano, Operations Group

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. John Montoya, Maintenance Group

Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. Eric Bratton, Operations Group

Junior Company Grade Officer of the Year: 2nd Lt. Ekaterina Thormann, Maintenance Group

Senior Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Dustin Bohall, Mission Support Group

After receiving their trophies, award winners and individuals accepting on behalf of winners not present gave their acceptance speeches, thanking all who supported them during the past year.