This just in from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Affairs Office ...

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. - The 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) will be conducting a Valor Award ceremony Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the Carey Theater, on JBLM Lewis-Main, to recognize Soldier's heroic actions while serving the nation. 

Multiple valor awards will be presented including Silver Stars, Bronze Stars with "V" (valor) devices, and Army Commendation Medals with "V" devices.  Medals will be presented by the Commander of the U.S. Special Forces Command, Brig. Gen. Darsie Rogers and the Commander of the 1st SFG(A), Col. Robert McDowell.

Firefighter Ashley Jeanes was awarded Volunteer Firefighter of the Year (2013) for her substantial efforts and contributions to the Bald Hills Fire Dept. in Yelm. Jeanes took advantage of a bit of free time in 2012 while her Joint Base Lewis-McChord active-duty husband, Sean, was deployed. According to a news release, "Firefighter Jeanes completed Firefighter I certification, Hazmat Awareness level certification, Hazmat Operations level certification, Firefighter II certification, as well as Fire Instructor I."

Oh, and besides the deployed husband, Jeanes is a full-time student with young children.

Air Force officials recently released the winners of the 2013 Air Mobility Command Safety Awards and Joint Base Lewis-McChord came away with a team and individual award.

The 62nd Airlift Wing won the AMC Distinguished Ground Safety Award for large wings and Thomas E. Thompson, 62nd AW, won AMC's Nuclear Surety Individual of the Year.

Meet Thomas E. Thompson here.

Spring 2014 - AMC Flight Safety Awards

Director of Safety Aircrew of Distinction
Crew of Bolt 35, 6 AMW,
91 ARS, MacDill AFB, FL

Aviation Maintenance Safety Award
MSgt Chad P. Jensen
22 ARW, 22 MXG, McConnell AFB, KS

Safety Officer of the Year
Maj Anthony Mariapain
22 ARW, McConnell AFB, KS

Flight Safety NCO of the Year
MSgt Christopher L. Gill
19 AW, Little Rock AFB, AR

Other AMC Safety Awards

Risk Management Achievement Award
3 AS, 436 AW, Dover AFB, DE

Read more...

I Corps Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl honored Mrs. Joan Shalikashvili with induction into the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Civilian Hall of Fame at a ceremony Jan. 30. Dahl cited her lifetime of service and thousands of volunteer hours, including her current role on the board of directors at the USO Northwest "Shali" Center.  Shalikashvili is the 21^st inductee into a group of civilians who have contributed greatly to the welfare of the Soldiers, Airmen and families on JBLM. 

Read J.M. Simpson's interview with Joan Shalikashvili in the News section.

Lakewood resident, military spouse and mother of three Jamie Johnson represented Joint Base Lewis-McChord at the 2014 Mrs. Washington America Pageant Jan. 18 in Bellevue.

Johnson's chosen platform was veteran Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness and support. She also wanted to show her pride in being a military spouse and was thrilled to represent the military community in the event.

Read more...