Chief of chaplains announces corps' annual award winners

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WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Air Force chief of chaplains recently announced the chaplain corps' 2009 annual awards.

"All nominees are to be applauded for their amazing performance and exceptional dedication to duty," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson. "But the accomplishments of the winners exemplified first class ministry that glorified God, served Airmen and exceeded the standards of excellence."

Spirit of the Four Chaplains Award:  Senior Airman Elizabeth Thomas, 375th Medical Operations Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

The active-duty individual award winners are:

-- Edwin R. Chess Award (active-duty company grade chaplain):  Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Conklin, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany

-- Gerrald Cullins Award (active-duty chaplain assistant senior NCO):  Master Sgt. Philip Watson, 90th Missile Wing, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.

-- Charles R. Meier Award (active-duty chaplain assistant NCO):  Tech. Sgt. Joshua Trotter, 470th Air Base Squadron, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany

-- Richard C. Schneider Award (active-duty chaplain assistant Airman):  Senior Airman Salena Valdez, 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M. 

Active-duty organization award winners are:

-- Charles I. Carpenter Award (large active-duty chapel):  52nd FW chapel, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, 

-- Terence P. Finnegan Award  (medium active-duty chapel):  21st Space Wing chapel, Peterson AFB, Colo.

-- Robert P. Taylor Award (small active-duty chapel): 8th Fighter Wing chapel, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea

Air Reserve award winners are:

-- Thoralf T. Thielen Award (Reserve chaplain):  Chaplain (1st Lt.) Michael McDonald, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB

-- Citizen Airman Award (Reserve chaplain assistant):  Tech. Sgt. Wayne Foster Jr., 4th FW, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.

Civilian award winner: 

-- Carol Ellen, 90th MW, F. E. Warren AFB.