18th Wing Public Affairs wins AF, PACAF awards

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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 18th Wing Public Affairs office was recently recognized by Air Force headquarters for superior performance.

The public affairs team received the 2011 Best Integrated Communication Award from Brig. Gen. Les Kodlick, director of Air Force Public Affairs, for effectively implementing public affairs strategies and tactics in a creative and effective integrated campaign supporting Operation Tomodachi.

"I am extremely proud of our team's efforts," said Maj. Christopher Anderson, 18th Wing PA chief.

The humanitarian response and need for accurate information was vital to internal and external audiences. Kadena responded by sending specialized teams to mainland Japan, assisting in providing military airlift, making preparations for evacuees and providing important information regarding radiation.

The 18th Wing PA office's research focused primarily on controlling rumors, providing timely and accurate information, managing expectations, and covering operations as well as events as they unfolded on mainland Japan.

The PA team's coordinated efforts with counterparts at United States Forces Japan, Pacific Air Forces and 5th Air Force were crucial in developing and implementing central messages on a broad range of concerns. During the crisis, PA also built messages regarding coalition efforts, and potential evacuation of displaced members by identifying key audiences in a specific order of importance.

"Congratulations," Kodlick said. "You are further advancing our profession and serving the Air Force and nation with great distinction!"

Pacific Air Force headquarters also recognized the 18th Wing PA team with several awards. They include:

Maj. Christopher Anderson was selected as the Outstanding Communication Field Grade Officer of the Year.

Airman 1st Class Maeson Elleman was selected as Outstanding Communication Airman of the Year. He also won first place in Print News Series.

Tech. Sgt. Amanda Savannah was selected as Print Journalist of the Year.

Tech. Sgt Jason Lake won first place in Photojournalism.

Tech. Sgt. Angelique Bilog won first place in Combat Documentation.

Tech. Sgt. Renee Crisostomo won first place in Radio News Report.

Staff Sgt. Shaunlee Hostutler was selected as the Broadcast Journalist of the Year. She also won first place in Television Feature Report, Radio Feature Report and Radio Sports Report.

Airman 1st Class Brooke Beers was selected as Outstanding New Photographer.

The 18th Wing Public Affairs office won the Outstanding Initiative in New Media award. The office also won PACAF's Best Integrated Communication award and Best Issues Management award.