Grand Forks AFB Annual Awards Ceremony Recognizes Wing ‘MVPs’ Published Feb. 19, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Northern Lights Club Ballroom here was filled to capacity Feb. 6, 2015, as the Warriors of the North gathered to recognize the wing's top performers from 2014. The event kept the new tradition established last year with its sports theme. "The best part of the event was seeing the nominees and winners get the recognition they deserve at such a well-attended event," said Master Sgt. Matthew Polson, who was one of three emcees for the event. "The crowd did a great job of being loud and proud. All of the members worked extremely hard to get there, it was nice seeing them lauded in such a public forum!" Polson elaborated on what made the event truly unique. "This event was different because it really took on a 'festive' atmosphere," he said. "From the decorations, to the jerseys, to the UND Dance Team, it really felt like a celebration, which is exactly what it is supposed to be. I think the event allowed the crowd to really get into it and that raised the energy in the room significantly." Polson said feedback from those who attended the event was resoundingly positive. "I have heard a lot of great things about this year's format," he said. "People loved being able to let their hair down, relax, laugh, and cheer on the nominees and winners. People who recently arrived to Grand Forks Air Force Base had never seen an annual awards banquet like that, and loved how different it was. At the end of the day, the most important thing is celebrating our best, and people felt that this theme enhanced their ability to do that." The 2014 winners in their respective categories are as follows: -319th Air Base Wing and Team Grand Forks Airman: Senior Airman Garrett Murray, 319th Contracting Flight -319th Air Base Wing NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Jacob Babb, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron -Team Grand Forks NCO: Tech. Sgt. Richard Swank, 10th Space Warning Squadron -319th Air Base Wing and Team Grand Forks Senior NCO: Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knox, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron -319th Air Base Wing CGO: Capt. Brett Kuhrt, 319th Wing Staff Agencies -Team Grand Forks CGO: Capt. Michael Rose, 69th Reconnaissance Group -319th Air Base Wing and Team Grand Forks Civilian Cat. I: Mark Anderson, 319th CES -319 ABW & Team Grand Forks Civ Cat II: Christopher Arnold, 319th Medical Support Squadron -319 ABW & Team Grand Forks Civ Cat III: Jon Saiers, 319th CES -319th Air Base Wing Honor Guardsman: Senior Airman Syler Feldman, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron -319 ABW & Team Grand Forks First Sergeant: Master Sgt. Keelan Rasmusson, 319th LRS -319 ABW & Team Grand Forks Spouse of the Year: Johnny Adams III, 319th Medical Group Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, thanked all those who participated in making the celebration a reality, including the Northern Lights Club staff and the University of North Dakota dance team. He wrapped up his remarks by thanking all the supervisors, coworkers and families of all the nominees and winners whose support greatly contributed to the outstanding work and accomplishments attained by Team Grand Forks' Most Valuable Warriors in 2014.