Chief Gaylor inspires at "Alamo Wing's" second annual awards banquet Published Jan. 8, 2013 By Elsa Martinez 433rd AW JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Approximately, 300 433rd Airlift Wing members donned their mess dress, brought their spouses and guests in equally-festive finery, and enjoyed the food and camaraderie at the second annual awards banquet, held here at the Gateway Club on Jan. 5. Highlighting the evening was guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Robert D. Gaylor (ret.) fifth Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and "the last breathing command chief, number five. Luckily, I learned we don't all go in numerical order," he said. Chief Gaylor, who retired in 1979, regaled guests with anecdotes about his 31-year career that led to his formula for success of opportunity, aptitude and attitude. But, he added, the most valuable asset to a well-rounded life was the continued pursuit of education. "Never stop learning," he remarked. "You must wake up every morning and know that you are open to learning something new will enrich your life and those around you." "It was an honor and a privilege to have a true Air Force living legend, Chief Gaylor as the guest speaker for our ceremony," said Col. Jeffrey T. Pennington, 433rd Airlift Wing commander. "The military and civilian award winners exemplified all the qualities Chief Gaylor covered. I guarantee wing leadership will continue to relay the importance of education to our Airmen. Only through continued learning will our Airmen and civilian force be ready to handle the challenges which lay ahead for the Air Force and our wing in the 21st Century." The 433rd Annual Awards recipients were: Senior Airman Brandon J. Kyle, 433rd Operations Group, Airman category; Tech. Sgt. Michael S. Senigo, 733rd Training Squadron, NCO category; Senior Master Sgt. Lisa A. Deleon, 433rd Airlift Control Flight, Senior NCO category; Capt. Wallace D. Collins, 433rd Force Support Squadron, Company Grade Officer category; and Senior Master Sgt. Judith E. Gutierrez, 26th Aerial Port Squadron, First Sergeant category. In addition to individual awards, the inaugural Alamo Wing Combat Ready Spirit Award was presented to the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron for the best short video which portrayed the unit's spirit, pride, actions and commitment to the wing's mission of providing combat-ready forces. The award is a unique design of an actual C-5 Galaxy turbine, rotor and other assorted, non-mission capable C-5 parts. Crafting the award under the keen direction of Col. Charles Combs, 433rd Maintenance Group commander, were Master Sgts. Fidencio "Pete" Ramon and Miguel Sauceda , Tech. Sgt. David Miller, and Staff Sgts. Craig Nicholson and Staff Sgt. Dan Ledesma, all of the 433rd Maintenance Squadron. Trophy will be displayed at future squadron and wing functions. Also in attendance were four of the wing's 2012-13 Honorary Commanders: Bill Gerlt, assistant general manager of the S.A. Missions Baseball (433rd Airlift Control Flight); Lisa O'Briant, assistant vice president, economic development for the Greater S.A. Chamber of Commerce (433rd Operations Group); Joyce Peavy, Texas regional director for Webster University (433rd Force Support Squadron); and Otis Scott, engineering careers counselor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. (433rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron).