Newest Wingman Award winners named

  • Published
  • By Sonic Johnson
  • Chief, 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  As one of his last acts as the 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, Col. Barre Seguin named the recipients of his Columbus AFB Wingman Award at a formal dinner Saturday night. Before dinner, previous Wingman Award recipients gathered to be the first to watch the just-completed Columbus Air Force Base 70th Anniversary history video, recounting the bases' history from its beginnings in 1941 to present.

Colonel Seguin selected three local business leaders, Bob Taylor, Lynn Robinson and Carlos Rosales to join the 25 previously recognized for this unique honor.

The Columbus Wingman Award is an honorary designation selected by the wing commander that recognizes members of the community who have made exceptional contributions to Columbus Air Force Base and has provided unparalleled support to the wing commander during his command tenure.

Taylor, owner of Bob's Paint and Auto Body, is a former Honorary Command Chief Master Sergeant and Honorary Commander for the 14th Security Forces Squadron. He is also a long-serving member of the Link's Military Affairs Committee and participant in their Pilot Partner program, member of the Base Community Council and an Air Force Association Community Partner. In short, he is an ardent supporter of the men, women, and mission of Columbus Air Force Base.

Ironically, it was the United States Air Force that brought the California native to the Columbus community in February, 1964 when Taylor was stationed at the base in the 454th Supply Squadron. After separating and returning to the west coast, he returned in 1975 and has not looked back.

Whether it is prepping for an air show or welcoming our newest student pilot class to the area, Colonel Seguin cited Taylor's "behind-the- scene support as a hallmark of servant leadership that defines Bob Taylor" in his remarks Saturday night.

Robinson is President of Air Control Engineering, Inc., a local commercial mechanical contractor for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing services. He is a member and past president of the Columbus Kiwanis Club and chairman of the Link's Military Affairs Committee, former Honorary Commander for the 37th Flying Training Squadron, Base Community Council member and an Air Force Association Community Partner. Colonel Seguin nominated Robinson as one of two civilians to serve on the Commander, Air Education and Training Command's Civic Leader Group this year.

Another California native, Robinson moved to Columbus in 1978 and except for a few breaks, has been working for Air Control Engineering since. He holds Master Electrician, Master Plumber, and Medical Gas installer licensees and is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional.

Colonel Seguin touted Robinson's "selfless support throughout his tenure by participating in numerous track selects, assignment nights and nearly as many graduations as I have!"

The third Wingman to be named, Carlos Rosales, moved to Columbus from Mexico to assist his recently widowed sister with her Mexican restaurant in 1982. He opened a photography studio in 1988 and became a U.S. citizen in 1993. In 2005, he moved his Houston, Miss. Tampico Bay Mexican restaurant to Columbus. He is a member of Rotary International and Columbus Kiwanis Clubs, Honorary Commander for the 14th Operations Support Squadron, members of both the Military Affairs Committee and the Base Community Council and an Air Force Association Community Partner.

"Carlos understands citizenship and seeks to find ways to 'give back' to his country," reflected Seguin. "His work producing the Columbus Air Force Base 70th Anniversary video is just a recent example giving back to Columbus Air Force Base, our Airmen and families."

The designation "wingman" comes from the aviation term for a pilot who flies his or her aircraft in formation with another aircraft such that the power and strength of that formation is greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Gen. Robert Foglesong established the Columbus Wingman Award in November of 1993 during his time here as 14th FTW commander. He viewed the award as a way to recognize and "give something back" to outstanding members of the local community who have done great work with the base over an extended period of time. These individuals have worked continuously to enhance the well being of the base community, as well as to ensure the effectiveness of the overall mission of the 14th Flying Training Wing.