2008 JAG Award winners announced

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WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Jack L. Rives has announced the 2008 Judge Advocate General Award winners. The award recipients will be formally recognized at an awards banquet during Keystone 2009, the Air Force JAG Corps' Leadership Summit held the last week of October in Dallas, Texas.

Albert M. Kuhfeld Award, Outstanding Judge Advocate: Maj. Tiffany A. Dawson, deputy staff judge advocate, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. This award recognizes the active-duty officer in the grade of major or captain selected as the most outstanding judge advocate of the year based on demonstrated excellence, initiative and devotion to duty.

Karen Yates-Popwell Award, Outstanding Paralegal Senior Noncommissioned Officer: Master Sgt. Kristen M. Orcutt, noncommissioned officer in charge for legal operations, 435th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This award recognizes the active-duty senior noncommissioned officer in the grade of senior master sergeant or master sergeant selected as the most outstanding paralegal of the year based on demonstrated excellence, superior initiative, leadership, management skills and professionalism.

Steve Swigonski Award, Outstanding Paralegal Airman: Tech. Sgt. Jesse D. Bascombe, legal office noncommissioned officer in charge, 23rd Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. This award recognizes the active-duty Airman in the grade technical sergeant or below selected as the most outstanding paralegal of the year based on demonstrated superior initiative, technical skill, leadership ability and devotion to duty.

Reginald C. Harmon Award, Outstanding Reserve Judge Advocate: Maj. W. Chadwick Austin, assistant staff judge advocate, 21st Space Wing, Peterson AFB, Colo. This award recognizes the most outstanding Air Reserve Component officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel or below selected as the most outstanding judge advocate of the year based on training accomplishments or contribution to mission support, exhibition of leadership in the military or civilian community and enrollment in off-duty programs of professional self-improvement.

David Westbrook Award, Outstanding Reserve Paralegal: Senior Master Sgt. Imelda B. Johnson, senior individual mobilization augmentee paralegal, The Judge Advocate General's School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. This award recognizes the most outstanding Air Reserve Component paralegal of the year based on demonstrated superior initiative, technical skill, training accomplishments or contribution to mission support, exhibition of leadership in the military or civilian community and enrollment in off-duty programs of professional self-improvement.

James O. Wrightson Jr. Award, Outstanding Civilian Attorney: Ms. Renee M. Collier, chief, Environmental Law Field Support Center, San Antonio. This award recognizes the civilian attorney employed by or serving with the Judge Advocate General's Corps selected as the most outstanding civilian attorney of the year based on demonstrated excellence, initiative and devotion to duty.

Harold R. Vague Award, Outstanding Legal Service Civilian: Ms. Melissa L. Keesee, paralegal specialist, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla. This award recognizes the legal service civilian (non-attorney) employed by or serving with the Judge Advocate General's Corps selected as most outstanding legal service civilian of the year based on demonstrated excellence, initiative and devotion to duty. Special consideration is given to those individuals who develop or improve systems, programs or procedures that enhance management efficiency or cost-effectiveness for Air Force legal programs. 

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