JOINT-BASE SAN ANTONIO-Randolph, Texas – In addition to various training activities, the 340th Flying Training Group May 16-17 mandatory unit training assembly opened with commander’s call, during which Col. Allen Duckworth lauded members who aced their fitness test, earned unit awards, were selected for promotion, re-enlisted and more.
The commander also provided a “state of the group” update, thanking group members for their proactive, intense focus on achieving mission objectives that directly align with recently released command initiatives. The colonel recognized members for exceptional performance in a host of areas.
Quarterly Awards
Tech. Sgt. Janina White, military personnel section NCO in charge of force management, was named NCO of the Quarter for the 4th quarter of 2018.
Tech. Sgt. Kassandra Farani, military personnel section assistant NCOIC of force management, was named 2019 first quarter NCO of the Quarter.
Group Budget Analyst Bernardo Aleman made group history when he was named the group’s first civilian of the quarter for the first quarter of 2019.
Promotion
Financial Management Superintendent Amy Whitman-Rector shared her promotion to senior master sergeant with her group teammates during the MUTA, and the group welcomed her husband, son, parents and other family and friends to participate in the ceremony.
Professional Military Education
The commander also recognized Senior Airman Jennifer Sheppard, command section personnel programs, for completion of the first tier of enlisted PME - Airman Leadership School.
Fitness Excellence
“Excellence in All We Do” was also evident in the number of group staff members who earned excellent fitness scores.
Lt. Col. Sara Linck, continuous process improvement
Lt. Col. Stacie Pratt, operations
Capt. Jeremy Putz, financial management
Senior Master Sgt. Samuel Caballero, first sergeant
Master Sgt. Melissa Erwin, communications and information
Master Sgt. Nimsi Martinez-Flores, military personnel
Tech. Sgt. Warren Bush, financial management
Tech. Sgt. Janina White, military personnel
Staff Sgt. Donte Russell, judge advocate
Senior Airman Tae Hwan Lee, financial management
On-the-Spot Awards
Over the past seven months, the senior NCO council and group commander have identified exceptional members of the staff and honored them for their contributions with an on-the-spot award. In addition to public acknowledgement of their efforts, award winners get to park in the commander’s parking space for a week.
On-the-Spot Award winners since the December 2018 MUTA include the following:
- Senior Master Sergeant Jon Rousseaux, operations
- Tech. Sgt. Kassandra Farani, military personnel
- Tech. Sgt. Brett Daniel, financial Management
- Master Sgt. Pam Lilly, command section
- Tech. Sgt. Christian Delgado, communications and information
The group bid farewell to four members, and welcomed 13 new headquarters teammates, as well.
The next MUTA is slated for December.