Brig. Gen and Mrs. Williams receive O'Malley Award

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Congratulations to Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Brett Williams, the former 18th Wing commander, who were informed yesterday that they are the 2009 recipients of the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O' Malley Award.

This award recognizes the wing commander-and-spouse team whose contributions to the nation, Air Force and surrounding community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple serving in a key Air Force position.

Marianne Williams wished to pass on both her and Brig. Gen. Williams' heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Kadena. Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Williams feel that this is a tremendous honor and tribute to not only them but all of Team Kadena, especially to the leadership teams who put their heart and soul into taking care of our Airmen and families who make the mission happen every day!

The official awards ceremony will be held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Sept. 11.

General and Mrs. Williams sent a note to the men and women of the 18th Wing thanking them for their hard work under their tenure.

"Marianne and I will proudly represent Team Kadena on Sept. 11 when we accept the 2009 O'Malley Award from our Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz," General Williams said. "At our level, any recognition we receive is not really a reflection of our personal efforts. Instead, the O'Malley Award recognizes and validates the work of many teams and individuals across Team Kadena.

"First and most importantly, the award goes to all of the key leadership teams who worked so hard to advance our Wing goal of Engaging and Supporting Team Kadena's Warriors and Families. Those military member and spouse teams were led by our Group and Squadron Commanders as well as the Command Chiefs and other senior enlisted leadership teams. Special mention must also go to the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the chapel staff, the Red Cross and the USO, all of whom played vital roles in many of our initiatives. We also acknowledge the critically important work of our first sergeants and Readiness Assistance Volunteers, now known as Key Spouses.

"Thanks also to the Erwin PME center and the First Term Airman's Course staff for the programs they developed to support our spouses. And there are many others like Wing Protocol, the Club Staffs, LRS transportation, Public Affairs and Community Relations just to name a few.

"Finally I would like to emphasize that this was a Team Kadena effort that included Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine families as well as civilians, both American and Japanese. So from Marianne and I thanks to all of you for your dedication and support to our military families. We are humbled and proud to represent you and wish you all Good Luck and God Speed."