Log Fest awards banquet recognizes Airmen Published April 18, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The 62nd Maintenance Group recognized "the best of the best" during the 2011 Log Fest awards banquet April 13. "The annual banquet is our opportunity to recognize aerial port and maintenance personnel who have won annual awards in their particular categories as well as announce our top Knucklebuster winner," said Col. Thomas Jackson, 62nd MXG commander. "To win the 'Top Knucklebuster,' an individual must have superior motivation, professionalism and achievement in accomplishing the mission of the 62nd Airlift Wing." Each functional area submits a nominee for squadron consideration. Then each squadron's nominee will compete for the overall Top Knucklebuster award. All Airmen, civilians and contractors assigned to or those who support the 62nd MXG are eligible. There's also something else unique about the nomination process--it's all peer rated. "This is a great time for us to highlight our own Airmen," said Senior Master Sgt. Gary Willis, 62nd Maintenance Squadron accessories flight chief. In order to be a Knucklebuster, nominees must possess a variety of qualities. "First and foremost, it's about duty performance," said Willis. "It's about the Airmen who do their job the right way, the first time. A Knucklebuster is focused on the big picture and the mission." While the banquet highlighted outstanding performers, it was also a time to bring together all the squadrons under the 62nd MXG: 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 62nd Maintenance Operations Squadron and 62nd MXS. "It felt like one big family reunion," said Airman 1st Class Kyle Dukes, 62nd APS passenger service agent. "Because we all have different jobs, we don't get to see each other work. It was nice to see everyone come together." It's rare to see Airmen under the 62nd MXG all together in one event, but they all share something in common: the impact they have on the 62nd AW mission. "The reason the 62nd Airlift Wing can continue to operate its C-17 (Globemaster III) is because of the great efforts of our Airmen," said Willis. "Maintainers have to get the aircraft off the ground and ready to fly missions." There were 31 Airmen recognized during the banquet. The winners are as follows: Air Transportation Airman of the Year 2011 Senior Airman Colton Lewis Air Transportation NCO of the Year 2011 Tech. Sgt. George Parker Air Transportation SNCO of the Year 2011 Master Sgt. Scott Winchell Traffic Management Airman of the Year 2011 Staff Sgt. Zachary Ponto Traffic Management NCO of the Year 2011 Tech. Sgt. Timothy Meyer Traffic Management SNCO of the Year 2011 Master Sgt. Ryan Dixon George F. Ruestow AF Logistics Readiness Senior Civilian Manager of the Year 2011 Daniel Wissman Expeditionary Warrior of the Year 2011 Master Sgt. Timothy Bahn AF Transportation Civilian Technician of the Year 2011 Craig Doyle AF Transportation Civilian Supervisor/Leader of the Year 2011 Wesley Littleton Oustanding Maintenance Professional Airman Senior Airman Sandra Bishop Oustanding Maintenance Professional NCO Staff Sgt. Samuel Mayo Oustanding Maintenance Professional Senior NCO Master Sgt. Richard Young Oustanding Maintenance Professional Civilian Technician Dallas Nickerson Oustanding Maintenance Professional Civilian Manager John Goggins Leo Marquez Technician of the Year Senior Airman Natalie Cox Leo Marquez Technician Supervisor of the Year Tech. Sgt. Jered Pieschke Leo Marquez Supervisor Manager of the Year Master Sgt. Seanjon Judkins Leo Marquez Company Grade Manager of the Year 1st Lt. Ian Mazerski Leo Marquez Field Grade Manager of the Year Maj. Emily Farkas Leo Marquez Civilian Technician of the Year William Gaither Leo Marquez Civilian Supervisor of the Year John Young Leo Marquez Munitions Maintenance Technician Supervisor of the Year Tech. Sgt. Preston Sims Leo Marquez Munitions Maintenance Civilian Technician of the Year Dean Siebert Leo Marquez Munitions Civilian Manager Herbert Wilkins CMSAF Thomas A. Barnes Crew Chief of the Year Tech. Sgt. Roeland Wielinga 62nd AMXS Top Knucklebuster Tech. Sgt. Steven Fraas 62nd APS Top Knucklebuster Tech. Sgt. Charles Branum 62nd MOS Top Knucklebuster Tech. Sgt. Ryan Osterlund 62nd MXS Top Knucklebuster Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Torres 2011 62nd MXG Top Knucklebuster Tech. Sgt. Charles Branum, 62nd APS