WESTFIELD—The US National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing honored its top members this past Saturday, during its 43rd annual awards ceremony.
The ceremony, which was held on Jan. 7 at the Sheraton Hotel at 1 Monarch Pl., Springfield, recognized 12 of the Fighter Wing’s approximately 1,400 members. Over 400 members and their families were at the ceremony to celebrate their peers’ achievements.
Members from the 104th Maintenance Group stand with their commanders and supervisors after receiving their group-level awards at the 104th Fighter Wing’s 43rd Annual Awards Banquet, Jan. 8, 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Sarah Watson-Kirwin.)
Awards were given to members of the wing following competition with peers in flights, squadrons and groups. The winners will compete for state recognition, as well as at the national level against other winners.
According to a press release from the Guard, the event provided a morale booster for members.
“It’s a good morale builder,” Master Sgt. Matthew Chapman, first sergeant for the 104th Fighter Wing, said in the press release. “It allows troops to get together with other areas of base and mingle out of uniform. This is a very family-oriented event.”
The winners and their awards are as follows:
Master Sgt. Mark Gaskalka, Information Assurance Medallion Award
Senior Airman James Roncarati, Ground Safety Award
Major Ashley Rolfe, Annual Flight Safety Award
Master Sgt. Dawn Soldan, Major General George W. Keefe Award for “Enlisted Excellence”
Staff Sgt. Marie Georgefils, Honor Guard of the Year Award
Master Sgt. Carla Belliveau, First Sergeant of the Year
Mr. James Ladue, Civilian of the Year
A1C Trevor Perreault, Airman of the Year
Staff Sgt. John Tourtellotte, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year
Master Sgt. Michael Kearnes, Senior Non Commissioned Officer of the Year
Master Sgt Christine Lupacchino, AGR/Technician of the Year
First Lt. Jason Grimaldi, Company Grade Officer of the Year
