Houston Airshow 2024

Alamo Wing annual awards for 2021 announced

  • Published
  • By Airman Mark Colmenares and Samantha Mathison
  • 433rd Airlift Wing

The 433rd Airlift Wing leadership announced the 2021 wing annual award winners during a limited in-person attendance and virtual ceremony at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy auditorium here, Feb. 5, 2022.

Traditionally, award winners are announced during the wing’s annual awards banquet. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was limited to senior leaders, nominees, a few select guests and support personnel for in-person attendance. The ceremony was livestreamed, allowing the audience to view the event remotely.

Col. Terry McClain, 433rd AW commander, officiated the ceremony.

“Our wing excelled throughout the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and these Airmen were essential in making it happen,” McClain said. “Modifying our usual banquet into a virtual ceremony is the least we can do to safely recognize their hard work and efforts. They worked hard for our mission success, so we worked hard to celebrate them.”

McClain, along with Chief Master Sgt. Takesha Williams, 433rd AW command chief, announced the following annual award winners:

 

Airman Category

Staff Sgt. Christian Alejos, 433rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
(recently promoted)

 

Noncommissioned Officer Category

Tech. Sgt. Christine Narro, 433rd Medical Squadron

 

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Category

Master Sgt. Justin Lundgaard, 26th Aerial Port Squadron

 

First Sergeant Category

Senior Master Sgt. Tania Mcguire, 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron

 

Company Grade Officer Category

Capt. Lizeth Critchfield, 433rd Medical Squadron

 

Field Grade Officer Category

Maj. Valerie Mafnas, 26th Aerial Port Squadron

 

Flight Commander Category

Maj. Melissa Greenwood, 26th Aerial Port Squadron

 

Civilian Category I

Mr. Sean Pollard, 433rd Operations Support Squadron

 

Civilian Category II

Ms. Lisa Green, 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron

 

Civilian Category III

Ms. Rosario Genuardi, 433rd Logistics Readiness Squadron

 

Honor Guard/Guardian Category

Staff Sgt. Gary Montoya, 74th Aerial Port Squadron

 

Alamo Wing Combat Ready Spirit Award

433rd Maintenance Squadron

 

According to Master Sgt. Justin Lundgaard, 26th Aerial Port Squadron NCO in charge of air terminal operations center, it was an honor to be selected at the wing level in the senior NCO category.

“I wouldn’t have gotten here without my team, my leadership and my mentors,” Lundgaard said. “Their support and guidance has been invaluable and if I’m selected at the next level, I will be honored.”