WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 88th Air Base Wing celebrated its top performers during the annual excellence awards ceremony on Feb. 21 at the Wright-Patt Club, where Airmen, Guardians and civilians were recognized for their achievements in 2024.
The Hollywood-inspired ceremony featured each group within the wing representing different movie genre, along with red carpet interviews and popular movie snacks.
Winners received an “Orville” award, paying tribute to aviation pioneer Orville Wright and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s heritage.
Col. Dustin Richards, 88 ABW and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW command chief, presented the awards recognized the accomplishments of the nominees and winners.
“To our nominees who continue to work hard and show excellence in all they do, we are here to celebrate and appreciate every single one of you,” Fontaine said. “You all deserve this recognition.”
The annual award nominees are listed below. This year’s winners are in bold (with an asterisk):
Airman of the Year
*Airman 1st Class Lance Gimmel – 88th Medical Group
Senior Airman Karissa Hull – 88th Mission Support Group
Senior Airman Julian Miller – 88th Civil Engineer Group
Senior Airman Ricardo Diaz Benitez – Wing Staff Agencies
NCO of the Year
*Tech. Sgt. Russell Hires – 88th Medical Group
Tech. Sgt. Ashley Vozel – 88th Mission Support Group
Tech. Sgt. John Clark – 88th Civil Engineer Group
Staff Sgt. Madison Lemaire – Wing Staff Agencies
Senior NCO of the Year
*Master Sgt. Michele Lazurka – 88th Medical Group
Master Sgt. Tamara Bruinink – 88th Mission Support Group
Master Sgt. Casey Brockway – Wing Staff Agencies
First Sergeant of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Cline – 88th Medical Group
Senior Master Sgt. Heather Grant – 88th Mission Support Group
*Master Sgt. Patrick Brown – Wing Staff Agencies
Honor Guardsman of the Year
Spc. 3 Dakota Desrosiers – 88th Medical Group
Spc. 3 Margaret Joy – 88th Mission Support Group
*Senior Airman Alexis Pearce – 88th Medical Group
Spc. 3 Pachee Xiong – 88th Mission Support Group
Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Janelle Wilmot – 88th Medical Group
*1st Lt. Mackenzie Collins – 88th Mission Support Group
Capt. James Franco – Wing Staff Agencies
Field Grade Officer of the Year
*Maj. Travis Callahan – 88th Medical Group
Maj. Elliott Beski – Wing Staff Agencies
Category I Civilian of the Year
Brenda Couch – 88th Medical Group
*Marcus Deloye – 88th Mission Support Group
Craig O'Meara – 88th Civil Engineer Group
Rachel Dart – Wing Staff Agencies
Category II Civilian of the Year
Kylie Noe-Fields – 88th Medical Group
*Kent Schifferly – 88th Mission Support Group
Matthew Newsome – 88th Civil Engineer Group
Adam Szeltner – Wing Staff Agencies
Category III Civilian of the Year
Teresa Soulati – 88th Medical Group
Julie Sutton – 88th Mission Support Group
*Lejla Zejnilovic – 88th Civil Engineer Group
Small Team of the Year
Medical Readiness – 88th Medical Group
Standardization & Evaluations (SFMQ) – 88th Mission Support Group
AFLCMC Off Base Lease Execution Team – 88th Civil Engineer Group
*Public Affairs Digital Engagement Team – Wing Staff Agencies
Large Team of the Year
Warrior Operational Medicine Clinic – 88th Medical Group
Military Personnel Flight – 88th Mission Support Group
*Wright-Patterson Club CORONA Top – 88th Civil Engineer Group
Civil Law Section – Wing Staff Agencies
Squadron of the Year
Healthcare Operations Squadron – 88th Medical Group
*Security Forces Squadron – 88th Mission Support Group
Operations Support Squadron – Wing Staff Agencies