Sixteen join the ranks of front-line supervisors Published April 4, 2013 By Senior Airman Chase Hedrick 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Sixteen Team BLAZE Airmen graduated from Airman Leadership School during a banquet on March 28 at the Columbus Club. Graduates relaxed with friends, family, supervisors and commanders and shared stories of their experiences in the class. Sharing his own stories and advice was the guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Garth Meade, 42nd Air Base Wing Command Chief from Maxwell AFB, Ala. "You will return to your duty sections, hopefully charged up Airmen, ready to take on the reins of supervision," said Meade. "The challenge will be to not let your flame of enthusiasm go out." The five-week long professional military education course armed the senior airmen with the skills and knowledge needed to perform their duties as front-line supervisors in the Air Force. The class also volunteered in the local community and was treated to a barbeque lunch by the local Military Affairs Committee, creating bonds and friendships that some believe will continue through their Air Force careers. "It's been an incredible five weeks. From day one this class has looked out for each other," said Staff Sgt. Brooke Wood, 14th Medical Operation Squadron. "We've held study groups every Sunday and no Airman has just looked out for themselves. We all worked together to make sure all 16 people walked across the stage tonight." Congratulations to: Commandant Award: Senior Airman Christina Ortiz, 14th Operations Support Squadron Academic Achievement Award: Senior Airman Erin Leon, 14th OSS Distinguished Graduate Award: Senior Airman Kyle Malczewski, 14th OSS John L. Levitow Award: Staff Sgt. Brooke Wood, 14th MDOS Graduates: Staff Sgt. John Cox, 14th Civil Engineering Squadron Staff Sgt. Brooke Wood, 14th MDOS Senior Airman Arne Belardo, 14th OSS Senior Airman Travis Boroff, 14th Security Forces Squadron Senior Airman Aaron Coleman, 14th Comptroller Squadron Senior Airman Christopher Fowler, 14th Communications Squadron Senior Airman Eric Gonzalez, 14th Contracting Squadron Senior Airman Derrick Griggs, 14th SFS Senior Airman Perry Huffman, 14th CS Senior Airman Erin Leon, 14th OSS Senior Airman Kyle Malczewski, 14th OSS Senior Airman Brittney Odum, 14th MDOS Senior Airman Christina Ortiz, 14th OSS Senior Airman Andres Punto, 14th OSS Senior Airman Jonathan Walker Jr., 14th OSS Senior Airman Michael Wood, 14th SFS
