13 AF members garner Air Force-level award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Members of 13th Air Force here were named The Lessons Learned Outstanding Team of the Year during The 2009 Air Force Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned awards ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 18.

The award recognizes analyses, assessments and lessons learned professionals who provide superior insight and analyses that improve military operations at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of command and result in long-term internalized change for an organization.

"Regardless of how successful a mission is, there is always something to be learned and captured for future missions," said John Trifonovitch, director of the Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned directorate-- the team that won the award. "The lessons learned team is part of a process that ensures our organizations are always looking for ways to improve in environments that are always changing."

The team competed for the award against seven other Air Force finalists. The team's efforts during the July to June 2009 award period improved processes for many 13th Air Force-led exercises and operations, as well as for the entire spectrum of joint activities in the theater, according to Mr. Trifonovitch.

"The great thing about what we do is that the lessons learned are not confined to Air Force operations, but are integrated where needed into the joint community and helps ensure we thrive as a team," said Mr. Trifonovitch.

The recipients of the award include: Mr. John Reed, Mr. Guy Atiburcio, Mr. David Wegener, Ms. Naida Hattori, Ms. Donna Bijansky, and Master Sgt. Walter Webster.

The  lessons learned team collects, validates, disseminates and tracks active lessons observed issues through the resolution process, with long-term revisits on resolved issues.