4 Airmen vie for GEICO awards

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Four Airmen have been chosen to represent the Air Force to compete for the 2006 Government Employee Insurance Company Military Service Awards.

Their records will compete against those of other members of the armed forces in four categories.

Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito of Robins AFB, Ga., will compete in the fire prevention and safety category. Sergeant Ricchuito is credited with constructing a comprehensive training program for 86 military and civilian firefighters, which corrected eight unit compliance inspection findings and vastly improved the department. He also authored a 30-page management plan, supervised the creation of 173 lesson plans and identified a major certification test program violation that he fixed immediately.

Master Sgt. Mark Garner, assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., will compete in the traffic safety and traffic accident prevention category. Sergeant Garner was recognized for his efforts in coordinating all facets of the academy's traffic safety programs, resulting in no cadet fatalities during the "101 Critical Days of Summer" campaigns from 2003 through 2006. He also was instrumental in the academy receiving three Air Force safety awards.

Master Sgt. Marshall Dellinger II, from Luke AFB, Ariz., will compete in the fire prevention and safety category for reservists. Sergeant Dellinger was recognized for significant contributions as a member of a non-profit organization that promotes the development of fire departments in third world countries. He also served as an international ambassador by providing food, clothing, shelter, emergency services and humanitarian assistance.

Senior Airman Brandon Hoosier will represent the Air Force in the drug and alcohol abuse prevention category. Airman Hoosier is assigned to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. According to his nomination, Airman Hoosier oversaw and performed physical security surveys and inspections at 52 Protection Level-4 controlled areas. He also wrote crime prevention-related articles for the base paper, developed crime analysis reports and provided oversight of the installation security plan and $7.5 million alarm system.

The nominees now are authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon.

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