Air Force officials announce civilian service award winners Published Oct. 27, 2010 Air Force Personnel, Service and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials have selected their nominees for the 55th Annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. The award is the highest honor given by the secretary of Defense to career civilian personnel. It is presented annually to a small number of DOD civilian employees whose service reflects exceptional devotion to duty and extremely significant contributions of broad scope to the efficiency, economy or other improvements for the operation of DOD. The following individuals are the Air Force winners and competed at the next level of competition which is still pending announcement: Bruce Lemkin, of the Air Force District of Washington, was the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and the deputy under secretary of the Air Force, international affairs. Mr. Lemkin transformed two headquarters organizations to meet national security requirements in the 21st century. His transformation of Air Force financial management improved the effectiveness and efficiency of Air Force pay services. Mr. Lemkin subsequently transformed Air Force international affairs from a focus on foreign military sales to a synergistic team founded on politico-military expertise and dedicated to building enduring air force-to-air force relationships. John Thompson, from Pacific Air Forces, distinguished himself as the program manager for the Rhein-Main Transition Program, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and as the chief of engineering division, and chief of programs division for PACAF, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Mr. Thompson's efforts during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe's largest basing action in 50 years led to the successful relocation of Rhein-Main Air Base's strategic airlift capabilities to Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases with minimal impact to ongoing contingencies. Mr. Thompson's attention to detail also ensured the Rhein-Main AB closure date of Dec. 31, 2005, was met without delay. William Rone, from Air Force Special Operations Command, distinguished himself through his personal efforts and leadership as the AFSOC comptroller. Mr. Rone's vision and leadership guided the command's financial managers to success supporting special operations forces, on the battlefield and at home station. As the senior financial advisor to the AFSOC commander, he integrated and managed complex Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command funded operating budgets exceeding $1 billion annually. In the last 10 years, the financial management organization, under Mr. Rone's leadership, has identified and justified more than $1.5 billion for AFSOC requirements above baseline appropriations. Each winner is authorized the Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin. For more information on this award and other Air Force award programs go the AFPC personnel services website at http://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil or contact the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.