Best of the best -- Wing annual awards winners announced Published Jan. 23, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Mark Kleber 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- Senior Airman Jeremy Ward Airman of the Year Staff Sgt. Jeremy Ward, 315th Maintenance Squadron believes that you need to show initiative to progress in your Air Force Reserve career. "Know and apply your strengths and work to improve your weaknesses," said Sergeant Ward, an aerospace maintenance journeyman and the 315th Airlift Wing Airman of the Year. Ward, who was the wing's Airman of the Quarter for January-March 2006, deployed to Al Udeid to support the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. In addition, he graduated from the Airman Leadership School at Charleston Air Force Base as a distinguished graduate and received the Leadership Award. Those accomplishments in addition to sorting clothes and supplies for more than 1500 homeless veterans in the Charleston areas are among his proudest ones for 2006. Tech. Sgt. Shirley Wilcox NCO of the Year Tech. Sgt. Shirley Wilcox, 315th Maintenance Squadron advises younger troops "don't be afraid to be up for a challenge." If you are afraid then you'll never learn anything," said Sergeant Wilcox, an aircraft fuels mechanic and an Air Reserve Technician. Sergeant Wilcox is the 315th AW Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. She aided Maintenance Group in receiving an overall excellent for Air Mobility Unit Compliance Inspection. She was also instrumental in MXG's nomination by AMC for 2005 Daedalian Weapons System Maintenance Trophy. "Being handpicked to work on a plane that has had the same problem for over a year and be able to fix it" was one of her greatest accomplishments in 2006. Master Sgt. David Turner Senior NCO of the Year Master Sgt. David Turner a structural maintenance craftsman of the 315th Maintenance Squadron is the Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Sergeant Turner oversaw restoration of 14 delaminated main landing gear doors to structure integrity, which saved $4.5 million, according to Maj. George Grubb, 315th MXS commander. He led essential composite repair to generate a critical C-17 which enabled the move of 1,685 hurricane Katrina residents. In addition, he assisted in the coordination in the $100,000 paint booth facility upgrade, increasing paint capability by 50 percent. Sergeant Turner graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a BS in professional aeronautics in December. In his community, Turner served as an ordained deacon at New Cantina Baptist Church. He also volunteered to represent the 315th AW to evaluate Jr. ROTC marching competition at The Citadel. Capt. Edward Stokes Company Grade Officer of the Year The most challenging part of his job is "trying to understand how all of the different base organizations work together to accomplish the airlift mission," said Capt. Edward Stokes IV, 300th Airlift Squadron. "I overcome this by gaining insight into every mission that I command," said Capt. Stokes, the 315th AW Company Grade Officer of the Year. Those missions included 30 combat sorties while logging over 115 combat hours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Capt. Stokes, a C-17 aircraft commander, launched with minimum notification to assist in the ordered evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon. In addition, he stepped up to answer short notice tasking to support Secretary of State's international mission; called to deliver critical ground support equipment to Hungary facilitating continuation of a damaged C-5 aircraft. Upgrading to aircraft commander was one of the captain's proudest accomplishments last year. Maj. Cade Gibson Field Grade Officer of the Year Maj. Cade Gibson, 315th MXS, spearheaded the best Aerospace Ground Equipment flight in the command and ensured the best in-commission rate in Air Mobility Command for tenth straight year - 95 percent. Maj. Gibson, now deployed as an operations officer, was selected as the 315th AW's Field Grade Officer of the Year. Maj. Gibson led an electro-environmental team who overhauled, inspected and repaired over 700 aircraft parts valued at more than $22 million. He "wrote the book" on Joint Chief's of Staff C-17 Alert Aircraft Operations and achieved a phenomenal 100 percent reliability rate for 33 critical launches. Maj. Gibson showed his commitment to the community by volunteering time and money for the Pro Bono Publico initiative at Tulane University School of Law in support of disaster victims following Hurricane Katrina. Senior Master Sgt. Edwin Felix First Sergeant of the Year "No man is an island, we must work together harmoniously", said Senior Master Sgt. Edwin Felix, 315th Maintenance Squadron. "I believe in servant leadership," said Sergeant Felix, the 315 AW's First Sergeant of the Year. "I want everyone to succeed and achieve higher goals." His leadership was key to the success of the annual Charleston AFB picnic and he was selected to represent 315th MXS at the presentation of the DOD Maintenance Effectiveness Award. One of his proudest accomplishments from 2006 was "coordinating the Sr. NCO and NCO induction with two weeks notice and seeing the smiles on the promotee's faces." Sergeant Felix advises younger troops that "leadership is not about being right, wrong or making everyone happy. In the words of Colin Powell, 'Leadership is about getting people to do what they wouldn't otherwise do.' Work for the benefit of others; the rewards will be far more rewarding than working for you in a selfish manner. Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent of what you do about it." Danielle Jarrell Civilian of the Year "I just like to help people with whatever they need," says Danielle Jarrell, an office automation assistant with the 315th Operations Support Squadron and the 315th AW Civilian of the Year. She skillfully aided the 437th AW Passport Section by managing all 315th AW passports during manning shortfalls. In addition she helped transmit more than 100 overdue time-critical passport applications and 15 visa applications for six subordinate squadrons within the 315th OG, ensuring crewmembers remained current and thus ensuring no mission delays. She is improving herself by pursuing an associate's degree and supports the community by providing monthly care packages for the local Women's Homeless Shelter.