46th Test Wing recognizes annual award winners

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  The 46th Test Wing went over and above the skies to honor its annual award winners with special guest speaker, Astronaut Steve Lindsey. 

Twenty 46th TW staff, group, squadron and unit members representing various career fields were presented eagle statues as tokens of appreciation for their hard work, Feb. 18 at the Eglin Officers' Club. 

It was also a time to remember prisoners of war and those missing in action. After a tribute to POW/MIA, retired Air Force colonel and astronaut Steve Lindsey, NASA Chief of the Astronaut Corps, spoke of his last shuttle ride and the experiences leading to it.
Mr. Lindsey's background includes extensive work in test and development and at one time was assigned to the 46 TW.

"What got me the most is that he served here at the 46th and to know I'm from the same wing," said Senior Airman Joseph Ritter, combat weather forecaster and annual winner. 

Mr. Lindsey, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, began his NASA career working on projects like the Multifunction Electronic Display System (MEDS) program, a glass cockpit Space Shuttle upgrade program, as well as designing, testing, and implementing crew interfaces and displays for the $400 million Shuttle Cockpit Avionics Upgrade. He was also responsible for integrating astronaut, civil service, and contractor activities to provide support to all aspects of the development, testing, crew training and operation of the International Space Station. 

The award ceremony included four categories; military, civilians, contractors and a test execution category. Those recognized came from different test and development career fields including weather and test operations, maintenance, flight test, engineering, test support, technical and analytical support and administrative support. Winners came from all 46th Test Wing organizations nationwide including Eglin, Hurlburt Field, Wright Patterson and Holloman Air Force Bases.

"Working in an organization geographically separated from our parent command, it was a privilege just to be nominated for this award," said award winner Paul Benshoof. "The fact that I won is an absolute honor, not only for me, but for everyone on the 46 TG team at Holloman AFB who can rest assured that the great work they do is recognized and appreciated at higher levels."

As a gift to the 46th Test Wing, Colonel Lindsey presented Colonel Gary Plumb, 46th TW commander, a collage of his last space flight. 

46th Annual Award Winners 

Military Category
-Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Joseph Ritter, 46th Weather Squadron
-Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Tech. Sgt. Gerald Joins, 
 46th Operations Squadron
-Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Master Sgt. Pete 
 Buzynski, 46th Weather Squadron
-First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sgt. Patrick Vitullo, 46th Maintenance Squadron 
-Company Grade Officer of the Year, Capt. Tim Helfrich, 413th Flight Test 
 Squadron (Hurlburt Field)
-Field Grade Officer of the Year, Maj. Darin Hoenle, 413th Flight Test 
 Squadron (Hurlburt Field)

Civilian Category
-Civilian of the Year, Category 1, Sharon Moulse, 46th Maintenance Squadron
-Civilian of the Year, Category 2, Billy Whatley, 46th Operations Squadron
-Civilian of the Year, Category 3, David Cramblet, 46th Weather Squadron
-Civilian of the Year, Category 4, John Moreland, 46th Maintenance Squadron
-Civilian of the Year, Category 5, Paul Benshoof, 746th Test Squadron

Contractors Category
-Support Advisor of the Year, Judy Scott, 46 Test Systems Squadron
-Technical Advisor of the Year, Bob Marshall, 40th Flight Test Squadron
-Profession of the Year, Chris Short, 46th Test Support Squadron
-Analyst of the Year, Darrell Decker, 46 Test Support Squadron Analyst of the Year

Test Execution Category
-Test Aircrew of the Year, Maj. Karl Seekamp
-Test Engineer of the Year, 2nd Lt.Shane Rexius, 40th Flight Test Squadron
-Program Engineer of the Year, Julie Saladin, Seek Eagle
-Test Supporter of the Year, Van Vu, Range Support Squadron