The Wyoming Wing Conference on May 4 featured something extra for the 137 Civil Air Patrol members and their families and guests in attendance — presidential and Headquarters U.S. Air Force awards and a gubernatorial proclamation.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force – Volunteer Excellence Award went to 10 members:
Lt. Col. Rod Burnett, Cheyenne Composite Squadron
Lt. Col. Bill Collister, wing inspector general
Lt. Col. Bob Ditch, wing chief of staff
Maj. Tim Anderson, wing director of information technology
Maj. Todd DePorter, wing director of education and training
Maj. Gregory Schreurs, wing director of finance
Capt. LuWana Deporter, wing public affairs officer
Capt.Craig Speirs, Powder River Composite Squadron
2nd Lt. Cynthia Colister, Wind River Flight
Chief Master Sgt. James Moore, director of homeland security
The award — designated for retired military members and their spouses who continue to volunteer in support of U.S. Air Force missions — was presented jointly by Air Force Cols. Johnny Galbert, commander of the 90th Missile Wing at F.E Warren Air Force Base, and Barry Diebert, commander of the Wyoming Air Nation Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base, and Lt. Col. Gia Petz, CAP-USAF Detachment 7 commander.
Burnett and DePorter also received the President of the United States Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, as did Cadet Maj. Mikah Shepard of the Cheyenne Composite Squadron. The award was also presented to the family of the late Maj. Harlan Ribnik, who passed away March 5 after long service in the Wyoming Wing and Rocky Mountain Region as well as the U.S. Army and in the Wyoming Wing.
The award recognizes volunteers whose lifetime efforts have contributed to the good of the nation and its citizens. Presenting the award was Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter, Wyoming adjutant general and joint forces commander.
In addition, Porter presented Col. Ken Johnston, Wyoming Wing commander, with a governor’s proclamation citing the wing’s contributions to the defense of the nation and citizens of Wyoming.
Ten days later, Burnett received a third honor and Schreurs and Ribnik were recognized a second time when the Rocky Mountain Region announced its annual honors.
Burnett was cited as Aircrew Member of the Year, Ditch as Operations Staff Officer of the Year, Schreurs as Region Finance Officer of the Year, and Ribnik as Region Health Services Officer of the Year.
Region awards also went to:
Lt. Col. BJ Carlson — Cadet Programs Officer of the Year
Lt. Col. Steve Ellis — Aerospace Education Officer — Lifetime Achievement
Lt. Col. Cec Reed — Legislative Officer of the Year
Lt. Col. CJ Young — History Officer of the Year
Maj. Jim Ormsby — Region Safety Officer of the Year
Cadet 1st Lt. Sophie Fox of the Thunder Mountain Composite Squadron — Region Frank Brewer Sr. Memorial Aerospace Education Award — Cadet of the Year
In all, despite making up only about 6% of the five-wing region’s membership, the Wyoming Wing accounted for 36% of the awards presented.
