Best of the best honored at 49th Fighter Wing Annual Awards Banquet Published Feb. 27, 2007 By 1st Lt. Phil Ventura 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. -- Team Holloman honored its best and brightest in the 49th Fighter Wing Feb. 24 at the Annual Awards Banquet held in the base Enlisted Club. More than 40 Airmen and civilians were recognized as nominees in ten distinct categories. A large and small squadron were also recognized as "the best," in 2006 from among the groups in the wing. Award winners were both surprised and humble about being recognized for their accomplishments. "I wasn't expecting it and was really shocked," said Senior Airman Janice Norwood, who won Airman of the year. Airman Norwood works in the 49th Medical Group's Tricare office as a technician. She says that doing good work consistently is an important trait for Airmen to have. Mr. Philip Korbakes, an industrial security program manager with the 49th Security Forces squadron won in the Civilian II category, which is reserved for GS employees between the seven and ten levels. "A lot of my success has to do with working with people like Teddy Beldad and CJ Cooper, I wouldn't have gotten this without their support," he said. Next, the winners will compete in their respective categories at the command-level. The 49th Operations Group Operations Support Squadron was recognized as the best large squadron from the wing. The squadron hosts a variety of missions vital to operations on base, including: the Intelligence, Airfield Operations, Current Operations, Weapons and Training, Low Observable and Weather Flights. The 49th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, part of the 49th Medical Group, captured the small squadron award. Brigadier General David Goldfein, 49th Fighter Wing commander, ended the evening by congratulating the award winners and nominees and remarking that this was the best Annual Awards banquet he had ever attended. Award winners: Airman of the Year Senior Airman Janice Norwood NCO of the Year Technical Sergeant Charles Veillon SNCO of the Year Senior Master Sergeant Larry Blume First Sergeant of the Year Master Sergeant Mauree Powell CGO of the Year Captain Jay Bertsch Field Grade Officer of the Year Major Nathan Clemmer Civilian Category I Mr. Antonio Biancaniello Civilian Category II Mr. Phillip Korbakes Civilian Category III Mr. Edward Morse Honor Guard member of the Year Senior Airman Keith Harris