Top Air Force print and broadcast journalists announced

  • Published
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  A panel of civilian journalists, teachers and public relations professionals have selected the best in Air Force print and broadcast journalism for the 50th annual Air Force Media Contest.

Senior Airman Joe Lacdan, from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., is the Air Force Print Journalist of the Year. Staff Sgt. Chris Decker, from the Air Force News Agency's Detachment 9 at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, is the Air Force Broadcast Journalist of the Year.

This year’s contest began with more than 200 Air Force newspapers and 20 broadcast operations.

Sergeant Decker and Airman Lacdan will join the winners in 31 other broadcast and print journalism categories to represent the Air Force in the annual Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Awards competition.  Judging for the DOD contest begins April 10; results are scheduled to be announced April 17.

Winners in the other print categories are:

-- Outstanding New Writer: Senior Airman Francesca Carrano, 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Edwards AFB, Calif.

-- Metro-Format Newspaper: Hilltop Times, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Hill AFB, Utah.

-- Tabloid-Format Newspaper: Shaw Spirit, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Shaw AFB, S.C.

-- Magazine-Format Publication: Intercom, Air Force Communications Agency Public Affairs, Scott AFB, Ill.

-- Newsletter-Format Publication: Midnight Express, 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, Duke Field, Fla.

-- Deployed Publication (an Air Force-only category): K2 Kommando, 416th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs, Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan.

-- Web-Based Publication: Jet 48 Online, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

-- News Article: “Promotion takes to airwaves,” Capt. Paula F. Kurtz, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs, Laughlin AFB, Texas.

-- Feature Article: “A story of survival,” Senior Airman Joe Lacdan.

-- Commentary: “Holiday birds need not have legs,” Christine Spargur, 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Scott AFB, Ill.

-- Sports Article: “Mr. Versatility,” Senior Airman Joe Lacdan.

-- Series: “First-ever F/A-22 deployment,” 1st Lt. Elizabeth Kreft, 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Langley AFB, Va.

-- Stand-Alone Photograph: “Standing ovation,” Frank Mcintyre, 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs, Vance AFB, Okla.

-- Photojournalism: “Providing hope,” Senior Airman Mike Meares, 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Eglin AFB, Fla.

-- Art/Graphics: “I am Airman ZOT,” Airman 1st Class Michael Hess, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, RAF Lakenheath.

-- Contractor/Stringer Writer: “Baby arrives during C-section by flashlight,” Susan Griggs, 81st Training Wing Public Affairs, Keesler AFB, Miss.

-- Contractor/Stringer Photographer: “Cabrillo High School aquarium,” Airman 1st Class Barry Loo, 30th Space Communications Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

The remaining broadcast winners, all from detachments of the Air Force News Agency except where noted, are:

-- Outstanding New Broadcaster: Senior Airman Richard Gonzales, Det. 6, Lajes Field, Portugal.

-- Radio Entertainment Program: “Mike In The Morning: Groundhog Day,” Det. 1, Operating Location A, Kaiserslautern, Germany.

-- Radio Spot Production: “Anger Management,” Det. 15, Operating Location A, Osan AB, South Korea.

-- Radio News Report: “Mock Iraq,” Staff Sgt. Cheryl Cho, Headquarters Air Force News Agency Hometown News, Lackland AFB, Texas.

-- Radio Feature Report: “Kilimanjaro,” Det. 4, Ramstein AB, Germany.

-- Radio Sports Report: “Athletes In Action,” Det. 1, Operating Location A, Kaiserslautern.
-- Radio Newscast: “Benelux Today,” Senior Airman Isaac Watson, Det. 1, Operating Location C, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium.

-- Television Information Program: “Kyushu Explorer: Field Of Dreams,” Det. 14, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan.

-- Television Spot Production: “Wingman Cards,” Det. 8, Aviano AB, Italy.

-- Television News Report: “Thunderbirds Make-A-Wish,” Staff Sgt. Joshua Gray, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.

-- Television Feature Report: “T-Smiles,” Tech. Sgt. Chris Vadnais, Operating Location E, Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

-- Local Television Newscast: “AFN Misawa News,” Det. 12, Misawa AB, Japan.

-- Regional Television Newscast: “Pacific Report,” Det. 10, Yokota AB, Japan.

-- Television Newsbreak: “Eifel News Minute,” Airman 1st Class Matthew Clouse, Det. 9, Spangdahlem.

-- Command Information Campaign: “Responsible Drinking Program,” Det. 9, Spangdahlem.