Liberty Press Air Force best

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 512th Airlift Wing's "Liberty Press" won first-place magazine in the 51st Annual 2006 Air Force Media Contest.

The 436th Airlift Wing's Airlifter won the best tabloid format newspaper.

A panel of civilian journalists, teachers and public relations professionals judged the competition and selected the best in Air Force print and broadcast journalism for the contest.

"This is such an honor," said 1st Lt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo, 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office chief. "We have always taken pride in telling our reservists' stories and the missions they accomplish here everyday. For the time we spent making sure Liberty Wing Airmen are informed and recognized, this is a great return on investment for us. It's a reflection of my talented staff and their hard work."

Contributing 512th AW Public Affairs staff members include: Tech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda, editor; Staff Sgt. Steven Lewis, staff writer; Debra Larregui, administrative assistant; and Lt. Losurdo. Staff Sgt. Jennifer Chamberlin, staff writer, now assigned to the 624th Regional Support Group Public Affairs Office, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse, 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., also contributed to the magazine.

This year's contest began with more than 200 Air Force newspapers and 20 broadcast operations.

Senior Airman Brian A. Stives, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, is the Air Force Print Journalist of the Year. Senior Airman Richard Gonzales, of the Air Force News Agency's Detachment 9 at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, is the Air Force Broadcast Journalist of the Year.

Airman Stives and Airman Gonzales will join the winners in 30 other broadcast and print journalism categories to represent the Air Force in the annual Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Awards competition. Judging for the DOD contest began April 10; results are scheduled to be announced April 17.

Winners in the print categories are:

- Outstanding New Writer: Senior Airman Shannon Fielder, 23rd Wing Public Affairs, Moody AFB, Ga.

- Metro-Format Newspaper: Hickam Kukini, 15th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

- Tabloid-Format Newspaper: The Airlifter, 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Dover AFB, Del.

- Magazine-Format Newspaper: Liberty Press, 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Dover AFB, Del.

- Newsletter-Format Publication: The Vigileer, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Aviano AB, Italy.

- Deployed Publication (an Air Force-only category): Ali Times, 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs, Ali Base, Iraq.

- News Article: "Westover contributes to crash investigation," Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse, 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

- Feature Article: "Sergeant finds 'home' in AF," Jennifer Moore, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Hill AFB, Utah.

- Sports Article: "Top seeded MXG survives near upset by Services," Master Sgt. James A. Rush, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs, Peterson AFB, Colo.

- Series: "You drink, you drive ... you pay," Tech. Sgt. Steven D. Wilson, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.

- Stand-Alone Photograph: "Splashdown!," Staff Sgt. Austin May, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs, Laughlin AFB, Texas.

- Photojournalism: "Mending bones: Americans, Hondurans team up medically to fix broken bones," Senior Airman Mike Meares, 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Eglin AFB, Fla. This is the second consecutive win in this category for Airman Meares.

- Art/Graphics: "Mandatory wear date for PT uniform coming soon," Senior Airman Jessica Switzer, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs, Peterson AFB.

- Contractor/Stringer Writer: "On that day ...," Maj. Mike Stolt, 97th Flying Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas.

- Contractor/Stringer Photographer: "Crow Creek Challenge," Bernadine Ernst, 90th Communications Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.

The remaining broadcast winners, all from detachments of the Air Force News Agency except where noted, are:

- Outstanding New Broadcaster: Airman 1st Class Jimmy McGuffin, Det. 6, Lajes Field, Portugal.

- Radio Entertainment Program: "The Morning Wakeup With Jeff And Mike," Staff Sgt. Michael Jackson, Det. 7, AFN Incirlik, Incirlik AB, Turkey.

- Radio Spot Production: "Holiday Mailing Deadline," Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Todd Crowell, Det. 11, AFN Okinawa, Camp S.D. Butler, Japan.

- Radio News Report: "Cargo Movement CTR," Staff Sgt. Leigh Bellinger, Det. 4, Air Force Regional News Center, Ramstein AB, Germany.

- Radio Feature Report: "Saber Cheerleader," Senior Airman Christy Byers, Det. 9, AFN Eifel, Spangdahlem AB.

- Radio Sports Report: "Tae Kwon Do: American Style," Staff Sgt. Melissa Allan, Det. 15, Operating Location B, AFN Kunsan, Kunsan AB, South Korea.

- Radio Newscast: "AFN Eagle News," Senior Airman Julieanna Carsen, Det. 1, OL-B, AFN Hessen, Wiesbaden, Germany.

- Radio Information Program: "Commander's Corner," Staff Sgt. Tara O'Brien, Det. 6, AFN Lajes, Lajes Field.

- Television Information Program: "Kyushu Explorer," Det. 14, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan.

- Television Spot Production: "Trash Can Recycle," Airman 1st Class George Solis, Det. 1, OL-E, AFN Naples, Naples, Italy.

- Television News Report: "Ghana Medflag Overview," Airman 1st Class Mara Title, Det. 4, Air Force Regional News Center, Ramstein AB.

- Television Feature Report: "Home For The Holidays," Senior Airman Brad Cameron, Headquarters Air Force News Agency, San Antonio.

- Television Sports Report: "Air Force Boxer," Airman 1st Class Robbie Arp, HQ AFNEWS, San Antonio.

- Local Television Newscast: "Island News," Det. 6, AFN Lajes, Lajes Field.

- Regional Television Newscast: "Pacific Report," Det. 10, Air Force Regional News Center, Yokota AB, Japan.

- Television Newsbreak: "AMC Troop Serves Through The Holidays," Staff Sgt. Brandon Hoyt, Det. 9, AFN Eifel, Spangdahlem AB. 

(AF News contributed to this story)