Andersen couple wins first sergeant, security forces awards

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christina Hoggatt
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) --  A husband and wife at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, have each earned major Air Force-wide recognition.

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Altenbernd is the 2005 Air Force First Sergeant of the Year, and his wife, Master Sgt. Nancy Altenbernd, received the 2004 Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff Level Noncommissioned Officer award.

"We are all very proud of the Altenbernd family, and we couldn't be (happier) for them," said Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander here. "The level of success they have individually achieved is a great example of family members unselfishly supporting one another. They are clearly an Air Force family dedicated to the Air Force mission."

According to his award citation, Senior Master Sergeant Altenbernd demonstrated superb leadership as the lead first sergeant for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, with more than 5,800 Airmen and 10 forward-operating bases in the world's most active combat zone.

He excelled at his duties despite more than 185 mortar and rocket attacks, some as close as 50 feet away, the citation read. While there he initiated a combat buddy care program, a leadership course and a life skills program to develop mission-ready Airmen. He was also the first sergeants' council president at Balad and Andersen.

"We are all very pleased to see Sergeant Robert Altenbernd selected for this very prestigious award," said Chief Master Sgt. Rodney McKinley, Pacific Air Forces command chief. "To be selected from so many great first sergeants in our Air Force clearly shows what type of senior enlisted leader he is.

"His concern for the welfare of our Airmen is reflected in everything he does," he said. "For all those who know him, they know he is a very humble man (who) does nothing for himself; he is always thinking of others."

Senior Master Sergeant Altenbernd was awarded academic achievement honors for the Defense Department's Southwest Asia intelligence brief, operations against guerrilla units, landmine warfare and desert operations courses. His vision and preparation ensured deployed success for himself and those he led, according to the award citation.

"I was overwhelmed, very lucky and humbled to get the PACAF First Sergeant of the Year award, let alone the Air Force level," he said. "I feel very lucky -- I've had great leaders, great command chiefs, and great first sergeants' counsel throughout my career. This is not a personal award, but it's a team award. I represent all of the other first sergeants because it could have easily been anyone of them.

"This is about teamwork and taking care of people; I'm honored to represent the whole first sergeant career field," he said. "The Air Force is not about individuality, but it's about teamwork and that's what we need to focus on."

General Hester said he knows the importance of Air Force families and knows how it takes teamwork in the home and in the office to get the mission done. He said the Altenbernd family demonstrates the highest commitment of core values and teamwork.

"The Air Force is blessed to have two individuals that demonstrate complete focus, commitment to our Airmen and still find time to fully support one another," General Hester said. "The Altenbernds will represent the first sergeants and security forces of the Air Force very well during this next year."

According to Master Sergeant Altenbernd's award citation, she earned a 100-percent inspector general compliance rating, while taking a squadron from worst to first. She also synchronized five force protection condition checklists into a single one-stop shop, ensuring rapid response to terrorist threats.

"I'm very shocked that I won, to say the least; especially with the number of security forces members deploying and doing great work all over the world," she said. "I'm surprised and very grateful, I've had great supervisors. It still seems unbelievable.

"This is extraordinary and overwhelming, as you mature more you understand more, so this is gratifying," she said. "It's phenomenal to get rewarded for something you've been doing your entire career -- work hard, study and help the community."

Master Sergeant Altenbernd also developed the first Air Force integrated base defense matrix, integrating manpower, technology, tactics and training. The matrix incorporated daily security forces duties, protecting more than 12,000 people, according to her award citation.

Husband and wife said they were extremely proud of one another.

“We are very lucky,” Senior Master Sgt. Altenbernd said. “I'm very proud of her, she's sharp."

"I was extremely happy for him, he works hard," the first sergeant’s wife said. "He's been a shirt for six years and works so hard and gives so much; to see him win is exciting. He's always there for the Airmen … I'm just so happy and proud of him."

The sergeants said they understand the importance of each specific role they play, whether it is their role in the Air Force or their role in the family.

"Supporting each other is key, the bottom line to making it all work -- marriage, the kids and two Air Force careers," Master Sergeant Altenbernd said. "We balance our schedules and take every day as it comes. We understand each other's career; it's 50-50 when it comes to the demanding roles it takes to be successful in the military. We know the individual roles we have in supporting the Air Force mission."

"You just have to give 100 percent, stay engaged, and do everything you can to the best of your ability," the first sergeant said. "If you stay focused, stay involved, you can make things happen that help us take care of our people. The basis of being a first sergeant is taking time with individual Airmen. The individual time is really most important because you assist in personal development. It keeps Airmen out of trouble and ultimately helps them excel in all aspects of life.” (Courtesy of PACAF News Service)