Warren’s chaplain staff earn two Air Force level awards for 2009

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  Two members of Air Force Global Strike Command's 90th Missile Wing chapel staff at F. E. Warren have recently earned Air Force level awards for the 2009 calendar year.

Master Sgt. Philip Watson will be presented the 2009 Air Force Chaplain Corps Noncommissioned Officer Chaplain Assistant of the Year award during the Chaplain Corps Council meeting in Washington, D.C. held Oct. 20.

"A Chaplain's assistant works not only as a chaplain's protector in the deployed environment," said Sergeant Watson. "They also assist in day-to-day chaplain duties.

"For example, if someone came into the chapel and a chaplain wasn't readily available to help them, a chaplain's assistant would sit down with them and 'triage' them to help determine the severity of the case and would then get them the help they need. We have the same confidentiality status as the actual chaplain, so someone can talk to us, and we can help get them the care they need."

Sergeant Watson recently finished attending the Senior NCO Academy and is now preparing for his third deployment in the chaplain corps, he said.

"To win such an award takes great character in the face of decreasing manning and support both to the wing and deployment," said Chaplain Lt. Col. Robert O'Dell, former 90th MW chaplain and current 2nd Bomb Wing chaplain in Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

The second award recipient is Carol Ellen, formerly with the 90th Missile Wing Chapel and currently resides in San Antonio, Texas. Mrs. Ellen will be receiving the 2009 Air Force Chaplain Corps Civilian of the Year award, which will also be presented to her at the Chaplain Corps Council meeting.

"Carol was a cornerstone of the chapel staff here," said Sergeant Watson. "Her diligent and meticulous work while she was the secretary helped keep everyone on track. She was part of the team of people who helped me out when I first got here as a three-level master sergeant, and I thank her for that."

Not only would she perform secretarial duties, but she would also act as a chaplain assistant at times, he added.

"Sometimes she'd be the only one in the office, so she would sit and listen to people as they came in, and would then get them the help they needed," Sergeant Watson said. "Things like that show she went above and beyond, and it's no surprise to me that she won the civilian of the year award."

"To earn a unit-level or even a major command-level award is nice," said Chaplain, Maj. Alan Chouest, 90th Missile Wing chaplain. "But to be selected out of all the candidates Air Force wide is an amazing feat all in itself. We are very proud of our chaplain staff."