Colorado Springs, Colo. --
Before a crowd of more than 120 of their peers, the U.S. Northern Command Deputy Commander, Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Dubie, highlighted 14 members of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and USNORTHCOM as the best of the best for 2013 in a ceremony at the Peterson Air Force Base Club April 30.
The awards program, established to recognize personnel for outstanding accomplishments during the calendar year, applies to all U.S. and Canadian forces personnel assigned to NORAD and USNORTHCOM, to include subordinate and components members. Categories include officer, enlisted and civilian awards.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert A. Winzenried, Command Sr. Enlisted Leader, NORAD and USNORTHCOM, rounded out the official party which saw all winners earn an engraved trophy and medallion. The military winners received the joint service commendation medal and the civilian winners received the joint civilian service commendation award. Other awards for winners included a certificate of appreciation and gifts from event sponsors.
In humble fashion, each of the award winners attributed much of their success in earning the award to the men and women they work with, their mentors and supervisors and the family at home who support them and took the opportunity to thank them.
EADS members winning NORAD awards were:
NORAD Company Grade Officer of the YEAR:
Continental U.S. NORAD Region, Capt. Angela M. Hudson
Duty Title: (Canadian Forces Military Occupation Specialty Identification) / Instructor Senior Director and Assistant Officer-In-Charge, Bravo Crew Weapons
Major accomplishments according to the nomination package: She is the top flight senior director who was upgraded to instructor after six months exudes superior knowledge, skill and confidence. She took the lead as senior director for seven national capital region scrambles aiding uncompromised President of the United States and critical-asset protection. Her intense developmental drive & focus saw her as a national finalist for the prestigious Royal Canadian Air Force International Space Studies Program. She is a court-appointed special advocate for at-risk children removed from unfit homes, having protected six children to date. She has also completed second year of arduous full-time graduate law degree courses, finishing three with honors distinction and is enrolled in and advancing through Level 3 of a 5-tiered RCAF Officer Developmental Program, well ahead of her peers.