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7th CS recognized for accomplishments

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Stefanko
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Communication Squadron and two Airmen were recognized by Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander Dec. 13, 2012, during his visit to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

These awards recognized the 7th CS team for their accomplishments and commitment to excellence.

Senior Master Sgt. Gary Virtue received the General John P. Jumper Award for Excellence in Warfighting Integration - Enlisted category. Virtue won at Air Combat Command and is now competing at the Air Force level. Staff Sgt. Kelly Brim received the 12th Air Force Information Dominance Award for Outstanding Knowledge Operations Management Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

While deployed to Bagram Air Field, Virtue led an 85 member operations flight maintaining equipment valued in excess of $264 million, providing critical communication links to OEF warfighters. He also coordinated with U.S. Air Forces Central and Air Force Flight Standards Agency to fix and commission a $23 million navigational beacon, paving the way for future civilian air traffic operations at Bagram.

Brim oversaw the correction of 3,000 communication issues, correcting over 2,000 within five minutes and assisted Network Control Center with virus detection programs, eliminating malware and enhancing Dyess' network integrity.

Additionally, the 7th CS team won the Maj. Gen. Paul R. Stoney award for Best Small Communications Squadron in 12th AF. A few of the squadron's hallmark accomplishments include, the 7th CS scoring a 96.3 percent for the unclassified portion of the 2011 Phase ll Command Cyber Readiness Inspection earning a grade of "Outstanding," the highest Phase II score in Air Force history as well as converting 4,187 computers to Windows 7, two weeks ahead of the Department of Defense deadline.

"This award is highly competitive" said Rand. "Virtue and Brim, as well as the rest of the team, earned these awards through persistent hard work and dedication."

Maj. Robert Mammenga, 7th CS commander, believes it was the team's commitment to getting the job done that led them to winning these awards.

"The 7th CS is constantly growing professionally and continues to exceed the standard, while Virtue and Brim are constantly going above and beyond to complete the mission," Mammenga said.

"When I think back over the year that I've been in command, we've accomplished some great things together; from the best Phase II Command Cyber Readiness Inspection in Air Force history to a satisfactory rating on our Air Traffic Standardization and Evaluation Program Inspection and our zero findings Information Assurance and Assessment Program Inspection." Mammenga added. "I am continually amazed at what can be accomplished when we empower our Airmen to accomplish the mission. Our individual award winners feel added pride as they have been recognized over their peers with outstanding individual achievement!"