Linwood resident Master Sgt. Daniel T. Mitchell Jr. and Egg Harbor resident Senior Airman Walter R. Kienzle IV, both assigned to the Security Forces Squadron of the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, were recognized as the best of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command.

      Mitchell was chosen as the winner in the 2007 Overall Annual Awards Winners – 1st Air Force (AFNORTH)/ CONUS NORAD Region First Sergeant Category, while Kienzle placed first in the 2007 Overall Annual Superior Performers - 1st Air Force (AFNORTH)/ CONUS NORAD Region. A formal ceremony will be held on April 24 at Tyndall Air Force Base to honor the winners.

      “Our candidates represent the finest uniformed and civilian members throughout the entire North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) community,” stated Maj. Gen. Henry C. Morrow, Commander, NORAD, 1st Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

      According to Morrow the task was daunting: “Selecting individual winners from so many truly outstanding staffs and units was a challenging task. It is crystal clear that every member of our 1st Air Force (AFNORTH)-CONR team has demonstrated exceptional commitment over the past year, yielding impressive results for our homeland defense, defense support to civil authorities missions, work environment, customer service and quality of life...all while maintaining an extremely high Ops-tempo in support of operations across the North American continent.”

      So what does it take to get chosen for these awards?

      Each candidate has to show significant achievement and development in three areas: leadership and job performance, self-improvement and finally base or community involvement.

      Let's start with Mitchell's accomplishments. During his four-month tour as first sergeant in Afghanistan Mitchell provided leadership to more than 450 Airmen assigned to 29 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) – visiting each location – and significantly improved morale and mission accomplishments in all the FOBs. He developed a security augmentee program, which mitigated the hazards faced by 48 Airmen tasked with base perimeter defense duty. Mitchell traveled 13,000 miles of improvised explosive device-laden roads to visit the FOBs to ensure the safe utilization of Airmen in a combat zone. As a result, he has been lauded as the best of the best of all previous first sergeants by two squadron commanders, here and overseas. In terms of significant self-improvement, Mitchell completed necessary work to receive credit for six college hours while in Afghanistan. Subsequently he was the first choice by wing and state leadership to attend Senior NCO Academy early 2008.

Master Sgt. Daniel T. Mitchell Jr. in Afghanistan.

      Finally, his base and community involvement includes being selected to lead a team to improve the processes aiding Airmen in reintegration and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) recognition and treatment.

      Whew.

      Now let's look at Kienzle. He volunteered as a member of a 13-Airmen Security Force team deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Kienzle was assigned to the Quick Reaction Force, which won notoriety for both the Air Force and the Air National Guard due to its quick response to attacks, including more than 50 small arms fire and 35 rocket and mortar attacks often outside the base perimeter, all the while safeguarding base personnel. In addition Kienzle provided security off the installation for explosive ordnance disposal Airmen disarming improvised explosive devices. This culminated with the Quick Reaction Force's response to a 2,000 pound Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device attack. Kienzle's decisive actions led to the evacuation of six wounded Soldiers and thwarted any further attacks. He was subsequently recognized for his performance during the attack and was awarded the Kirkuk Regional Air Base Unsung Hero Award.

Senior Airman Walter R. Kienzle IV in Iraq

      Kienzle's self improvement is a model for us all: he is currently enrolled in Atlantic County Community College majoring in education where he has made the dean's list twice and maintains a 3.6 grade point average. That education training is paying off; he was recently selected as Combat Arms Training instructor for the 177th.

      Kienzle is also involved with his community – regardless of where he is located. He collected more than $500 for the Salvation Army while deployed to Iraq for needy families and also participated in a church charity program handing out clothing and school supplies to Iraqi children. Here, he has been a soccer coach for the Municipal Youth Soccer League for the last three years. Finally, Kienzle participated in fund raising events for the Egg Harbor City Fire Department, which raised more than $7,000 in 2007.

      So that is what it takes to win these awards. Take my word for it.