Lackland civilian, Asheville Airman selected for meritorious service award

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force officials here selected a master sergeant and a civilian as the winners of the 2009 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award.

Master Sgt. Angela Tristan, assigned to the 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville, N.C., and Rhonda Battles, assigned to the 343rd Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, received the award in San Diego in June.

Sergeant Tristan led the groundbreaking ceremony of a Fallen Airmen's Memorial, served as the senior enlisted member of the only honor guard in western North Carolina, and led a team of seven in Washington, D.C., in preparing the Vietnam War Memorial for Fourth of July celebrations. Sergeant Tristan devoted hundreds of hours to public service for her community, coaching three youth sports, mentoring 30 foster children, and promoting math and science programs in a rural farm community school.

Ms. Battles was responsible for training more than 10,000 Airmen to secure Air Force installations worldwide and perform combat operations in support of overseas contingency operations. Furthermore, she significantly lowered the strain of security forces squadrons' manpower across the globe while maintaining a 95 percent satisfaction rate from unit commanders and first-line supervisors.

These two individuals exemplify the Air Force's continuing commitment to promote diversity within the Air Force family and in their communities. By supporting these efforts, the Air Force builds on the diverse foundation that has made the U.S. Air Force the world's premier force in air, space and cyberspace.

According to the SAIGE Web site, one of the nonprofit organization's priorities is to promote the recruitment, retention, development and advancement of American Indian and Alaska Native government employees, and work to ensure their equal treatment under the law.

For more information on Air Force awards, visit the Air Force Personnel Center's secure "ASK" Web site or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.