Congratulations 2025 Air Force Civil Engineer Award Winners!
The following teams and individuals were selected as the 2025 Air Force Civil Engineer Functional Award winners. Chosen by a panel of their peers to compete at the highest levels of Air Force Civil Engineering, the winners, runners up, and nominees represent the ingenuity, talent, and relentless dedication that is at the core of the Civil Engineering community.
CIVIL ENGINEER AWARDS Major General Robert H. Curtin Award - Civil Engineer Unit (Active Duty Large Unit) Winner: 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan (PACAF) Runner up: 316th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (AFDW)
Major General Robert H. Curtin Award - Civil Engineer Unit (Active Duty Small Unit) Winner: 11th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC (AFDW) Runner up: 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (PACAF)
Major General Robert H. Curtin Award - Civil Engineer Unit (Air Reserve Component) Winner: 176th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (ANG) Runner up: 514th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey (AFRC)
Major General Clifton D. Wright Award - Operations Flight Winner: 354th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (PACAF) Runner up: 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
The Balchen-Post Award - Snow and Ice Control Team Winner: 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan (PACAF) Runner up: 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri (AFGSC)
Brigadier General Archie S. Mayes Award - Engineering Flight Winner: 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California (AMC)
Major General Del R. Eulberg Award - Installation Management Flight Winner: 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana (AFGSC)
Major General Robert C. Thompson Award - Asset Accountability Excellence Winner: 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: 316th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (AFDW)
Brigadier General Michael A. McAuliffe Award - Housing Excellence Winner: 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC) Runner up: 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas (AMC)
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARDS
Colonel Frederick J. Riemer Award - Emergency Management Flight Winner: 773rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (PACAF) Runner up: 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (ACC)
Airman - Emergency Manager Winner: Senior Airman Kaelon T. Duke, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (ACC) Runner up: Senior Airman Trea D. Blocker, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (AFGSC)
Civilian - Emergency Manager Winner:Mr. Yuuki Nara, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan (PACAF) Runner up:Mr. Robert Helstrip, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Flight Commander/Chief - Emergency Manager Winner:Capt. Laurana M. Maselter, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (AFDW) Runner up:Capt. Adam P. Disque, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (PACAF)
NCO - Emergency Manager Winner:Staff Sgt. Brianna R. Pickens, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas (AMC) Runner up:Tech Sgt. Ryan N. Daneault, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
SNCO - Emergency Manager Winner: Master Sgt. Shellie L. Vincent, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up:Master Sgt. Kendall R. Herbert, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (AFGSC)
Staff Officer - Emergency Manager Winner:Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth S. Buchanan, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (PACAF) Runner up:Master Sgt. Alisha R. Maloy, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (AFMC)
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL AWARDS
Senior Master Sergeant Gerald J. Stryzak Award - EOD Flight/Detachment Winner: 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida (AFSOC)
EOD MasterBlaster of the Year (Staff - Enlisted) Winner: Master Sgt. Ryan T. Vaughan, 9th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (ACC) Runner up: Master Sgt. John S. Mitchell, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (AFMC)
EOD MasterBlaster of the Year (Airman) Winner: Senior Airman Jerry M. Grant, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina (ACC) Runner up: Senior Airman Kevin O. Hodgson, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona (AETC)
EOD MasterBlaster of the Year (CGO) Winner:Capt. Stone E. Miller, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina (ACC) Runner up:Capt. Jacob T. Murray, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC)
EOD MasterBlaster of the Year (NCO) Winner:Tech. Sgt. Sean A. Standley, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia (ACC) Runner up: Tech. Sgt. Tyler R. Koch, 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (PACAF)
EOD MasterBlaster of the Year (SNCO) Winner:Master Sgt. Matthew T. Workoff, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (AFGSC) Runner up:Master Sgt. Mathew D. Kimberling, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah (AFMC)
EOD MasterBlaster of the Year (Staff - Officer/Civilian) Winner:Mr. Marshall Montoya, HQ United States Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana (AFGSC) Runner up:Mr. Cary Gibson, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC)
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARDS
Chief Master Sergeant Ralph E. Sanborn, Fire Department of the Year Award (Large Department) Winner:96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC) Runner up:628th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina (AMC)
Chief Master Sergeant Ralph E. Sanborn, Fire Department of the Year Award (Medium Department) Winner:31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up:509th Civil Engineer Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri (AFGSC)
Chief Master Sergeant Ralph E. Sanborn, Fire Department of the Year Award (Small Department) Winner: 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (AFGSC) Runner up: 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea (PACAF)
Fire Prevention Program of the Year Winner: 628th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina (AMC) Runner up: 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California (USSF)
Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award Winner: Ms. Tiana Y. Bykowski, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah (AFMC) Runner up: Tech. Sgt. Dion V. Banda, 312th Training Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas (AETC)
Senior Master Sergeant Robert A. McAllister Award - Firefighter Heroism Winner: Mr. Matthew T. Haddy, 422nd Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Croughton, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: Senior Airman Jackson R. Brock, 10th Civil Engineer Squadron, US Air Force Academy, Colorado
Civilian Firefighter of the Year Award Winner: Mr. Luke D. Koskelowski, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (AFGSC) Runner up: Mr. Son U Yi, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea (PACAF)
Civilian Fire Officer of the Year Award Winner: Mr. Richard T. Matteson, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (PACAF) Runner up: Mr. James R. Maynard, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico (AFSOC)
Chief Master SergeantHoyd O. Sanders Award - Military Fire Officer of the Year Award Winner: Senior Master Sgt. Aaron P. Strayhorn, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan (PACAF) Runner up: Senior Master Sgt. Sergio J. Melendez, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (ACC)
Military Firefighter of the Year Award Winner: Senior Airman Jacob J. Meyer, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: Senior Airman Jonovan V. Lizama, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri (AFGSC)
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Newman Medal - Senior Civilian Leader Winner: Mr. Harley M. Connors, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC)
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Newman Medal - Senior Military Leader Winner: Col. John M. Riker, 1st Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (AFRC) Runner up: Col. Ryan G. Walinski, 316th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (AFDW)
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Goddard Medal - Enlisted Leader Winner: Senior Master Sgt. Daniel J. Huffstetler, 366th Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas (AETC) Runner up: Master Sgt. Arian A. Olomi, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan (PACAF)
Mr. Harry P. Rietman Award - Civilian Manager GS-13/14 Winner: Mr. Paul F. Edwards, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri (AFGSC) Runner up: Ms. Rebecca L. Jones, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida (USSF)
Mr. Harry P. Rietman Award - Civilian Manager WS-13 & Above Winner: Mr. Dae Joon Kang, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (PACAF) Runner up: Mr. James E Haakedahl, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota (AFGSC)
Major General L. Dean Fox Award - Field Grade Officer Winner: Maj Jason A. Hernandez, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas (AFGSC) Runner up: Maj. Amela Sanders, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Major General Eugene A. Lupia Award - Military Airman (Airman) Winner: A1C Collyn M. Wyatt, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (ACC) Runner up: Senior Airman Mitchell Zieglgansberger, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC)
Major General Eugene A.Lupia Award - Military Airman (NCO) Winner: Tech. Sgt. Nathan O. Kortan, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia (ACC) Runner up: Staff Sgt. Tristan D. Overson, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah (AFMC)
Major General Eugene A.Lupia Award - Military Airman (CGO) Winner: Capt. Washington A. Morales Rosales, 36th Contingency Response Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (PACAF) Runner up: Capt. Spencer R. Figge, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota (AFGSC)
Major General William D. Gilbert Award (Civilian) - Staff Action Officer Winner: Mr. David S. Kovacs, 9th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (ACC) Runner up: Mr. Andrew J. Garrett, HQ CFC, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado (USSF)
Major General William D. Gilbert Award (Enlisted) - Staff Action Officer Winner: Tech. Sgt. Kyle W. Gergel, 9th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (ACC) Runner up: Senior Master Sgt. Barry R. Richards, HQ Pacific Air Forces Command, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (PACAF)
Major General William D. Gilbert Award (Officer) - Staff Action Officer Winner: Lt. Col. Craig R. Poulin, HQ Combat Forces Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado (USSF) Runner up: Capt. Louis J. Zib, HQ US Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Major General Joseph A. Ahearn Award - Airmen Dorm Leader & Unaccompanied Housing Manager: Civilian Unaccompanied Housing Manager Winner: Mr. John Michael G. Cabardo, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (PACAF) Runner up: Ms. Rebecca Watson, 422nd Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Croughton, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Major General Joseph A. Ahearn Award - Airmen Dorm Leader & Unaccompanied Housing Manager: Military Airmen Winner: Staff Sgt. Tristan L. Pruitt, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan (PACAF) Runner up: Tech. Sgt. Kenneth L. Lewis, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Major General Joseph A. Ahearn Award - Airmen Dorm Leader & Unaccompanied Housing Manager: Senior Military Airmen Winner: Senior Master Sgt. Kimberly L. Roberts, 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas (AETC) Runner up: Master Sgt. Tyler J. Wilkins, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina (ACC)
Major General Augustus M. Minton Award - Civil Engineer Publication Winner: Lt. Col. Alexis R. Johnson, HQ US Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii (INDOPACOM) Runner up: Master Sgt. James J. Lawyer, 554th RED HORSE Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (PACAF)
Ms. Kathleen I. Ferguson Award - Civilian Airman (Technician - Non-Supervisor) Winner: Mr. Gregory M. LeBlanc, 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida (ACC) Runner up: Mr. Yukihide Hirano, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan (PACAF)
Ms. Kathleen I. Ferguson Award - Civilian Airman (Technical - Non-Supervisor) Winner: Ms. Arlene Soto Maldonado, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: Mr. Paul L. Havens, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC)
Ms. Kathleen I. Ferguson Award - Civilian Airman (Supervisor - Junior-Level) Winner: Mr. Robert Butler, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Runner up: Mr. Eric S. Rasmussen, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas (AFGSC)
Ms. Kathleen I. Ferguson Award - Civilian Airman (Supervisor - Mid-Level) Winner: Mr. Eric A. Mueller, 460th Civil Engineer Squadron, Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado (USSF) Runner up: Ms. Dawn N. D. Young, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia (ACC)
Chief Master Sergeant Larry R. Daniels Award - Superintendent Winner: Senior Master Sgt. Ricky L. Kranning, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (PACAF) Runner up: Senior Master Sgt. Eric C. Partlow, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona (ACC)
GENERAL THOMAS D. WHITE (GTDW) ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
Cultural Resources Management, Large Installation - Installation/DRU/Center Winner: Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico (AETC) Runner up: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (PACAF)
Environmental Quality Non-Industrial Installation, U.S. & Territories - Installation/DRU/Center Winner: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (PACAF) Runner up: Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico (AETC)
Environmental Restoration - Installation/DRU/Center Winner: Beale Air Force Base, California (ACC) Runner up: Yokota Air Base, Japan (PACAF)
Natural Resources Conservation, Small Installation - Installation/DRU/Center Winner: Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts (AFMC) Runner up: Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas (AMC)
Environmental Range Management, Large Range - Installation/DRU/Center Winner: Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida (ACC)
Environmental Quality - Individual/Team Winner: Environmental Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC) Runner up: Air Quality Team, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas (AETC)
Environmental Restoration-Individual/Team Winner: Ms. Shannon McMillan, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas (AETC) Runner up: 105th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Office, Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York (ANG)
Natural Resources Conservation - Individual/Team Winner: 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Element, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota (AFGSC) Runner up: Environmental Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (AFMC)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Program - Individual/Team Winner: EIAP/NEPA Program Management Team, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (PACAF) Runner up: Space Launch Delta 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida (USSF)