EADS Recognizes Outstanding Performers at Annual Awards Banquet

  • Published
  • By Tim Jones
  • Eastern Air Defense Sector
Rome, NY --  Nearly 200 New York Air National Guardsmen, Canadian Forces members, federal civilians and guests were in attendance at the Radisson Hotel in Utica last Friday as the Eastern Air Defense Sector recognized its outstanding performers from 2010.

EADS employs more than 400 active-duty military, federal civilians, civilian contractors and part-time Air National Guardsmen and the unit recognized seven outstanding performers in eight categories. The categories were: company grade officer (junior officers below the rank of major), senior non-commissioned officer, noncommissioned officer, junior enlisted airman, honor guard member and honor guard program manager. The outstanding civilian and resource advisor of the year were also recognized.

Award recipients were:

· Capt. Roderick Nettles, Rome, Outstanding Company Grade Officer. A cyber operations officer, Capt. Nettles identified and successfully corrected numerous problem areas that were essential to EADS outstanding performance on the Unit Compliance Inspection - the primary Air Force readiness inspection conducted every five years. Other noteworthy accomplishments included the development of action plans and objectives for more than 50 personnel and the oversight of five work centers responsible for the unit's maintenance support.

· Master Sgt. Raam David, DeWitt, Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer. A graduate of the prestigious Advanced Weapons Director School, Sgt. David led his section's preparation for the Unit Compliance Inspection and was rated a superior performer by the inspection team. Other significant achievements included Sgt. David's consistent instructional excellence, his extensive review and upgrade of tactical procedures and training plans, and his support for community efforts such as the Red Cross Thanksgiving basket drive.

· Technical Sgt. Natasha VanDeusen, Rome, Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer. A network operations NCO, Sgt. VanDeusen was selected to brief the Air Force Northern Commander, a two-star general, about EADS local area network during his visit to the site. Recognized for exercise support and training development excellence, Sgt. VanDeusen also served as the Vice President of the unit's Junior Enlisted Council, where she played a key role in developing the first mock promotion board at EADS for personnel in her field.

· Airman 1st Class Nicholas Tharrett, Rome, Outstanding Junior Enlisted Airman. The first EADS airman in more than 10 years to earn the "exceptionally qualified" rating on his initial evaluation, A1C Tharrett received a Commanders Commendation Award for his rapid completion of the career development course and the Airman of the Year from the local Air Force Sergeants Association. A1C Tharret also was recognized for his volunteerism, which included providing more than 100 hours of labor for the local Habitat for Humanity project.

· Master Sgt. Eugene DeHart, Rome, Outstanding Honor Guard Member. Sgt. DeHart volunteered more than 100 off-duty hours to provide final tributes at veterans' funerals and support other events, such as Memorial Day commemorations. As assistant Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), Sgt. DeHart trained new honor guard members on weapons and flag-folding procedures and participated in more than 20 ceremonies. A local youth basketball coach, Sgt. DeHart also was recognized for his community involvement.

· Master Sgt. Jeffrey Lamarche, Deansboro, Outstanding Honor Guard Program Manager. A firm believer that every veteran should receive a fitting final tribute, Sgt. Lamarche significantly raised local awareness of EADS honor guard activities by holding informational meetings with area funeral directors. In addition to supervising and coordinating events, Sgt. Lamarche personally participated in 43 funerals and details, nearly two-thirds of all honor guards provided by EADS last year. An active supporter of numerous community and unit projects, Sgt. Lamarche also was recognized for his volunteer work.

· Krispen Dorfman, Rome, Outstanding Civilian and Outstanding Resource Advisor. The only recipient of two outstanding performer awards, Dorfman was recognized for his expertise in command and control system development, budgeting, project tracking, equipment testing and training schedules, work place design and facility upgrades. Responsible for numerous reporting requirements, Dorfman also was recognized for his efficient management of his section's digital files and Intranet sites.

"EADS' mission of protecting the eastern U.S. airspace requires consistent excellence from all of our staff," said Col. John Bartholf, EADS Commander. "Our 2010 award winners distinguished themselves by going above and beyond our high standards and I congratulate each of them on their outstanding accomplishments and thank them for their extraordinary efforts."

A number of distinguished guests also attended the awards banquet. Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, New York's Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Anthony P. German, Chief of Staff, New York Air National Guard (NYANG) and Chief Master Sgt. Hardy Pierce, the NYANG's Command Chief, were in attendance. Chief Master Sgt. Denise M. Jelinski-Hall, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Guard Bureau, was the featured speaker.

The Eastern Air Defense Sector is headquartered at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Staffed by active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and a Canadian Forces detachment, the unit supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) integrated warning and attack assessment missions and the U.S. Northern Command's (USNORTHCOM) homeland defense mission. EADS is responsible for air sovereignty and counter-air operations over the eastern United States and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea.