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A look back at 2014

  • Published
  • By Susan Griggs
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  At the end of the year, it's often easy to think, "Thank goodness that one is over!"

But in Keesler's case, a look back at 2014 shows many accomplishments, leadership changes, awards, distinguished visitors, charitable fundraisers and involvement in community events. 

January

Senior Airman Alisi Taka, 81st Medical Support Squadron, returned to Keesler after competing in an international netball tournament in Singapore as a member of the U.S. National Netball Team.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was honored at the Jan. 19 gospel service at Larcher Chapel.

Keesler leaders attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Biloxi baseball stadium Jan. 24.

Kayakers and paddle boarders braved the cold weather to compete in Keesler's second annual polar bear regatta Jan. 25 at marina park.

Icy roads and extremely cold temperatures closed the base Jan. 28-29.  The base weather office confirmed it was the coldest January on record since 1940.

February

The Bay Breeze Community Center and McBride Library consolidated their programs with the Vandenberg Community Center due to a 40 percent reduction in the base's operating budget for community programs.

Keesler was honored by the Tree City USA program for the 21st consecutive year.

The 336th Training Squadron was recognized as the 81st Training Wing's top technical training squadron for 2013.

Senior Airman Michael Connors, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron, was selected as one of 31 enlisted members selected out of more than 300 applicants for Officer Training School.

Keesler Medical Center began a major three-year, $68 million renovation expected to be completed in mid-2017.  The project realigns the outpatient specialty clinics on the second through fourth floors and reworks the surgical floor with new state-of-the-art operating rooms and a new centralized minor procedures suite. It will provide new hematology-oncology and dialysis suites and infusion center. It moves the dental and mental health clinics into the medical center and divests nearly 48,000 square feet of aging infrastructure.

Keesler Medical Center earned its second consecutive Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Award.

Senior Airman Gavin Hunter, 81st Operations Support Flight, was a first responder for a two-vehicle collision.

Senior Airman Melissa Bradley, 81st Training Wing command post senior emergency actions controller, was awarded the Air Education and Training Command Elizabeth Jacobson Award, named after the Air Force's first female Airman and first security forces Airman to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Col. (Dr.) William Moore, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron, and Steve Pivnick, 81st Medical Group Public Affairs, were honored as volunteers of the year by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.

A Feb. 27 exercise tested the 81st Training Wing's disease containment plan for mass prophylaxis point of distribution capability.

The 81st Training Group teal rope program hosted a nighttime glow run Feb. 27 to promote awareness of sexual assault.  More than $2,700 was raised for the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence.

The 81st TRW honored 13 annual award winners for 2013 at the annual awards banquet Feb. 21. 

Winners were:

Airman - Senior Airman Von Fernan Carios, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron.
Noncommissioned officer - Staff Sgt. Cassandra Cruz, 81st MDG
Senior NCO - Senior Master Sgt. Lorenzo Mendoza, 338th TRS
Company grade officer - Captain Oscar Nunez Jr., 333rd TRS
First sergeant - Master Sgt. Lynnette Tolar, 334th TRS
Civilian Category 1 - James Wells Jr., 81st TRW legal office
Civilian Category 2 - Martin Rivera, 81st Communications Squadron
Civilian supervisor Category 1 - Christopher Hunnicutt, 81st MDSS
Civilian supervisor Category 2 - Rodney McGruder, 81st CS
Honor guard member - Staff Sgt. Vernon Peoples Jr., 333rd TRS
Dragon junior service member - Senior Airman Brandon McDonough, 85th Engineering Installation Squadron
Dragon service member - Tech. Sgt. William Fish, Mathies NCO Academy
Dragon senior service member - Master Sgt. Becky Patterson, Mathies NCO Academy

March

Keesler firefighters assisted other area first responders in responding to an apartment complex fire in D'Iberville March 4.

Keesler Medical Center became one of only 25 medical treatment facilities in the nation selected as a site for a new coronary artery disease treatment procedure.

The Air Force Honor Guard unveiled its new routine March 7 after a month of training at Keesler.

March 11, Keesler held a public forum at the West Biloxi Public Library to generate input about the base's ongoing environmental restoration activities.

Ed Simpson Sr., 81st TRSS, aced the 120-yard No. 12 hole at Bay Breeze Golf Course March 13.  He hit his first hole-in-one with a nine iron.

The 81st TRG's second annual Top Tech competition took place  March 27, with officers, senior enlisted, junior enlisted, military training leaders and civilian instructors demonstrating their teaching skills.

Col. (Dr.) Thomas Harrell became the commander of the 81st MDG March 28.  The former commander, Brig. Gen. Kory Cornum, became the command surgeon for Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

April

The 602nd TRG (Provisional) began an 84-mile ruck march to Camp Shelby in support of its mission of joint expeditionary training.

April 3, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to reopen Shaw House, a newly-renovated lodging facility.

Actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band performed a concert at Keesler sponsored by the USO April 4.

Hundreds of volunteers led activities, cooked food and performed demonstrations for more than 1,400 military children and their families during Child Pride Day April 5 at the youth center.

April 10, Keesler presented the Air Force Chief of Staff's Volunteer Excellence Awards to Edward Long, retiree activities office; Jessica Barattini, Key Spouse for the 338th TRS; David Wood, 403rd Maintenance Squadron; and Tracy Reed, youth center volunteer.

The "Cajun Snappa" team won the second annual Bay Breeze Crawfish Cookoff April 11.

The base opened its new splash pad at marina park April 19.  It was financed with Commander-in-Chief Installation Excellence Award funds.

The City of Biloxi honored Senior Airman Sharla Starks, 81st Force Support Squadron; Lauren Koops, spouse of 2nd Lt. Sawyer Coops from the 333rd TRS, and the Fishbowl Student Center's white rope chapel volunteers during its annual Volunteer Recognition Awards program April 22.

Community College of the Air Force conferred 121 associate degrees during its spring commencement ceremony April 22.

Staff Sgt. Debra Reiss, 81st AMDS, was named  AETC's Olsen-Wegner Aerospace Medicine Technician of the Year for 2013.

Keesler's new paintball facility opened April 25.

May

For the 28th year, Keesler hosted the Mississippi Special Olympics Summer Games May 9-10.

Biloxi Chamber of Commerce sponsors provided two sets of state and territorial flags to be flown for Keesler's Avenue of Flags on Larcher Boulevard at the base's main entrance.

May 21-22, Keesler hosted an Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Program conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The training focused on terrorism response tactics which are designed to prepare first responders to isolate, distract and neutralize an "active shooter."

The African-American Heritage Committee awarded five scholarships totaling $2,500 to Keesler dependents May 22.

Thirty-five Keesler members were on the master sergeant promotion list released May 22.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Higby, 81st TRW, was the keynote speaker and the 81st TRG's 50 state flag team participated in the Memorial Day ceremony at Biloxi National Cemetery May 26.

Twenty-four physicians and dentists graduated from internship and residency training May 29 at Keesler Medical Center. Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Mark Ediger, deputy Air Force surgeon general, gave the commencement address.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Keesler May 29-30.

Biloxi's Preservation in May program concluded May 29 at the Biloxi Visitor Center with a special program highlighting the evolving partnership between the city and Keesler over the past 72 years.

June

Master Sgt. William McMillan, 81st IPTS, and Staff Sgt. Gregory Buford, 338th TRS, were selected for the Interservice Physician Assistant Program.

The 81st TRG's teal rope program sponsored a 5K run June 19 that raised more than $1,300 for the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence.

Eighty-one Keesler staff sergeants were on the technical sergeant promotion list June 26.

Col. Cherri Shireman accepted command of the 81st Medical Operations Squadron June 27.

July

On July 1 at Keesler Medical Center, Lt. Col. MiMi Cannonier assumed command of the 81st IPTS and Lt. Col. Maureen Harback took command of the 81st MDTS.

Brig. Gen. Mark Brown assumed command of 2nd Air Force from Maj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, July 3.  Brown previously served as comptroller for Air Force Materiel Command. 

Patrick became vice commander of AETC.  Brown pinned on his second star Sept. 12.

Lt. Col. Susan Airola-Skully took command of the 81st Mission Support Group from Col. Mark Vivians July 10.  She was promoted to colonel Aug. 1.

Col. (Dr.) Robert Langston became the commander of the 81st Dental Squadron July 15.

Approximately 100 JROTC students from seven states attended a week-long Summer Leadership School at Keesler that ended with a parade and graduation ceremony at the Welch Theater Aug. 1.

Operation Homefront and the 81st FSS partnered to provide a backpack and school supply giveaway for military families at the Bay Ridge Community Center July 29.

August

Col. Dennis Scarborough succeeded  Col. Rene Romero as vice commander of the 81st TRW.

Aug. 7, the base conducted a major accident response exercise in which the scenario involved a simulated structural fire at Locker House.

Aug. 8, the 81st TRG hosted an immersion tour to acquaint new base leaders with the group's mission, operations and personnel.

September

Keesler hosted the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce's quarterly Morning Call program at the Bay Breeze Event Center Sept. 12.

The base conducted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony Sept. 11 at the flagpole in front of 81st TRW headquarters.

Keesler sponsored a diversity outreach and science, technology, engineering and mathematics program Sept. 19 for about 250 Junior ROTC cadets from 10 different area schools as part of the base's celebration of the Air Force's 67th birthday and Wingman Day.

The base's Air Force Birthday festivities also included a 5K run, speakers, cake cutting, music, games, contests, food and a variety of Wingman Day events.

The Sesame Street USO Experience for Military Families made a stop at Keesler Sept. 9 with two shows.

Keesler defeated the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce in the annual Don Wylie Memorial Golf Tournament at Bay Breeze Golf Course Sept. 19.

Five Keesler Airmen raised funds for the Air Force Enlisted Village by participating in the Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Sept. 20.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, visited Keesler Sept. 22-23.

The 81st FSS hosted a mini-triathlon that included a 200-yard swim, 9-mile bike ride and a 2-mile run.

October

Keesler announced it would host an air show/open house March 28-29, 2015.

The health and wellness center closed Oct. 1 and its programs were transferred to Keesler Medical Center.

For the first time ever, Keesler placed in the top three AETC bases for its energy conservation accomplishments.

Keesler Medical Center hosted its third annual "Mammothon" Oct. 10 with walk-in cancer and preventive health screening and information for beneficiaries of all ages and genders.

Keesler leaders and units participated in Biloxi High School Military Appreciation Night football festivities Oct. 10.

Base leadership, student marching groups, honor guard, drum and bugle corps, 50-state flag team and the 403rd Wing's "Lil' Bill" participated in the 14th annual Gulf Coast Veterans Parade Nov. 8 in Biloxi, along with other bands, floats, marching teams and antique military vehicles. 

The 5th annual Dragon Challenge on Oct. 10 raised $6,500 for Fisher House.  More than 350 runners participated in the 14-hour event.

Oct. 16, Keesler opened Mississippi's Nature Explore Park for children ages 12 and younger with developmental and physical challenges on an acre of land in marina park.

The 85th EIS held a Combat Dining-In Oct. 17 at Malby Hall complete with tug-of-war competitions, obstacle courses, water balloon fights, speakers and a festive meal.

"Category 5," a movie starring Burt Reynolds, premiered at the Bay Breeze Event Center Oct. 22 as part of the area Sea and Sand Movie Festival.

Construction commenced on Keesler Medical Center's $74 million renovation project. The endeavor will greatly modernize health care delivery and enhance the overall patient experience for the Keesler community.

Master Sgt. Courtney King, an instructor at the Mathies NCO Academy, was the winner of the Thomas V. Fredian Community Leadership Award at the 36th annual Salute to the Military sponsored by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.

Oct. 23, the Mathies NCO Academy graduated the first-ever class of 34 technical sergeants through the four-week Intermediate Leadership Experience course.  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody spoke to the 34graduates.

Keesler hosted its annual Retiree Appreciation Day with 30 displays, a drill exhibition and a free lunch Oct. 24.

November

Nov. 1, Tops in Blue performed at Keesler as part of its 60th anniversary tour.

A Nov. 5 major accident response exercise tested the base's preparation for possible chemical spills.

Airman 1st Class Katryn Booth, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, assisted two people injured in an accident on I-10 in Hancock County on Nov. 8.

Nov. 14, Cmdr. Kenneth Wallace became the commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit at Keesler.

Keesler sponsored the inaugural Mississippi Joint Service Junior ROTC All Drill Competition Nov. 15.  Approximately 800 cadets and spectators attended.

The Tuskegee Airmen's Lawrence E. Roberts chapter held its 5th annual benefit gala Nov. 15 at the Bay Breeze Event Center.

The second annual 5K for AJ drew about 300 participants who raised more than $5,000 for the Disabled American Veterans organization.

More than 60 Keesler Medical Center volunteers were honored at the organization's annual luncheon Nov. 21 at the Bay Breeze Event Center.

December

It was confirmed that the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team will headline Keesler's 2015 Air Show/Open House March 28-29, 2015.

Dec. 1, Chief Master Sgt. Margaret Cooper, 81st Medical Support Squadron, became the first woman in the Air Force's medical equipment repair field to achieve the top enlisted rank.

Keesler participants helped to raise funds for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program through the inaugural NSpire Bowl football event in Biloxi.

Dec. 7, Keesler leaders and units participated in the 2014 Mississippi Bowl pre-game program.  The seventh annual football classic determined the national junior college football championship.

Keesler completed its Unit Effectiveness Inspection Dec. 15 after hosting 45 inspectors from AETC's Inspector General's team for eight days.  The team rated the 81st Training Wing "effective" over four major graded areas and a dozen other programs.
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