Ramstein servicemember wins AF level chaplain corps' award

  • Published
  • By American Forces News Service
Recently Air Force officials announced the winners of the chaplain corps' 2009 annual awards.

A servicemember from the 86th Airlift Wing chaplain corps' was named the Air Force active-duty company grade chaplain of the year.


- Edwin R. Chess Award (active-duty company grade chaplain): Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Conklin, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Other Air Force level winners included.

-- Spirit of the Four Chaplains Award: Senior Airman Elizabeth Thomas, 375th Medical Operations Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

-- Gerrald Cullins Award (active-duty chaplain assistant senior NCO): Master Sgt. Philip Watson, 90th Missile Wing, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.

-- Charles R. Meier Award (active-duty chaplain assistant NCO): Tech. Sgt. Joshua Trotter, 470th Air Base Squadron, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany

-- Richard C. Schneider Award (active-duty chaplain assistant Airman): Senior Airman Salena Valdez, 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M.

Active-duty organization award winners are:

-- Charles I. Carpenter Award (large active-duty chapel): 52nd FW chapel, Spangdahlem AB, Germany,

-- Terence P. Finnegan Award (medium active-duty chapel): 21st Space Wing chapel, Peterson AFB, Colo.

-- Robert P. Taylor Award (small active-duty chapel): 8th Fighter Wing chapel, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea

Air Reserve award winners are:

-- Thoralf T. Thielen Award (Reserve chaplain): Chaplain (1st Lt.) Michael McDonald, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB

-- Citizen Airman Award (Reserve chaplain assistant): Tech. Sgt. Wayne Foster Jr., 4th FW, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.

Civilian award winner:

-- Carol Ellen, 90th MW, F. E. Warren AFB.