Connecticut Air National Guard unit recognizes 2011 top performers

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jefferson S. Heiland
  • 103rd Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
The 103rd Airlift Wing's annual awards ceremony was held April 14, 2012, on base in the main hangar to recognize and reward Airmen for their outstanding performance in their duties.

Similar to last year's event, as each award recipient went on stage they could be seen by live video feed projected onto a giant screen in an effort to associate the name with a face.

According to Col. Frank Detorie, 103rd Airlift Wing commander, regardless of how the awards ceremony evolves each year, the focus will be on the award recipients. "These are our best and brightest--our outstanding performers, and they deserve the recognition they got today. I am a firm believer in success breeds success...and they set the tone with their performance, their work ethic and their dedication," he said.

Some awardees who, according to Detorie, set the pace and the tone of the work environment are:

Outstanding Airman of the Year 2011 -- Senior Airman Regan Walters, 103rd Force Support Squadron
Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year 2011 -- Master Sgt. Lindsey Rohner, 103rd Air Operations Group
Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year 2011 -- Master Sgt. Robert Bailey, 103rd Air Operations Group
Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year 2011 -- Master Sgt. Caroline Heinselman, 103rd Mission Support Group
First Sergeant's Diamond Award -- Tech. Sgt. Daniel Sanford, 103rd Maintenance Group
Chief's Award -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Devine, 103rd Air Control Squadron
Commander's Award -- Master Sgt. Kevin Quinn (pictured), 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron

"If you knew what I know, you would understand that there is no way we could have done any of the things we did in 2011 without [this year's] winner of the commander's award," Col. Detorie said."Nothing we could have done this year would have been possible without Kevin Quinn and his commitment to this facility, this wing and this base."

Col. Detorie concluded his remarks during the ceremony, thanking all of the wing members for their incredible work and dedication.

"So, a string of accomplishments in every area and every aspect that we ask of you--and they all fell in the same year--and in each case, you all responded incredibly. And for that, I thank you," Detorie said.