Liberty Wing announces annual award winners

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Deborah Robinson
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 512th Airlift Wing selected its annual award winners for 2008. 

512th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Randal L. Bright recognized the award winners' accomplishments during the wing commanders calls Feb. 8.

Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Lorraine Almanza, 512th Mission Support Squadron knowledge operation specialist, deployed as a postal augmentee to southwest Asia from January to May last year. During her time there, she sorted and delivered 1,500 pounds of mail weekly to 51 base organizations. Airman Almanza is a student at the University of Argosy, Washington D.C., and is working on her master's degree in forensic psychology. She is an Air Force budget contractor at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

NCO of the Year
Staff Sgt. Peter Kwansnjuk, 512th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, responded to two counts of shoplifting on base locating several items leading to the apprehension of the suspects involved in the crime. Sergeant Kwansnjuk is currently attending Temple University, Philadelphia, pursuing a double major in accounting and finance with a 3.7 grade point average. He is an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Department, Willow Grove Post, Pa.

Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Terry Archer, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-5 avionics modernization program manager, is responsible for $865 million in assets and ensured the program was on schedule and within budget. He is a 512th AW Honor Guard member and also serves on 436th AW Honor Guard filling personnel shortages. He mentors youth at the Crossroads Christian Church in Dover. He is also earning his master's degree in avionics management at Delaware State University.

Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Shirley Whitney, 709th Airlift Squadron executive officer, deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, in 2008 to serve as the 506th Air Expeditionary Group executive officer. In response to 20 enemy rocket and mortar attacks, she conducted force accountability and directed the completion of post-attack reconnaissance sweeps essential to the safety of 5,200 combat forces and civilian personnel. When she isn't working, Captain Whitney supports local fundraisers helping people with special needs. As a civilian, Captain Whitney is a senior probation and parole officer for Kent County, Del.

Civilian of the Year
Pamela Withrow, 512th Mission Support Squadron management assistant who oversees the wing's mailroom, earned the squadron's first outstanding rating during the base security safe inspection. She taught information management classes on military postal and mail operating procedures, electronic publications and forms access and records management procedures. In her free time, she volunteers with the Salvation Army, Delaware Special Olympics swim clubs, and assists with fundraisers for Delaware reforestation projects.