JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Two Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson personnel were recently honored for their accomplishments at the Air Force level.
Airman 1st Class Nicholas Kotecki, a 3rd Munitions Squadron armament team member, received the 2019 Air Force Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award for Munitions/Missile Maintenance, and Michael Holmquist, a 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron materiel management flight chief, won the 2019 Outstanding Air Force Logisitcs Readiness Individual Award for Outstanding LRS Civilian Category III.
The Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award is presented to maintainers who have demonstrated the highest degree of sustained job performance, job knowledge, job efficiency and results in the categories of aircraft, munitions and missile, and communications-electronics maintenance.
"Airman 1st Class Kotecki is very professional and a leader among his fellow Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. David York, 3rd MUNS superintendent.
JBER's total force integration means Alaska Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel work side-by-side with the active-duty Airmen of the 90th and 525th aircraft maintenance units.
"My wife has definitely been my rock," Kotecki said. "She makes me remind myself every day of what I’m working for. Everyone in my shop has helped me out at some point along the way and winning this award without their help would have been nearly impossible.”
"He is absolutely top notch," York said. "He's very professional and a leader among his fellow Airmen. He was selected for Senior Airman below the zone at the installation central board where he competed against 25 other nominees; that is a huge testament to his professionalism."
Kotecki said one of the biggest challenges of the year was getting through some damage caused by cables; his team got new wiring harnesses and regenerated the fleet.
While he didn't set out to win awards, Kotecki said the recipe for success is simple.
"Show up to work on time, have a positive attitude, and do your job to the best of your ability," he said. "If you show a positive work ethic every day, no matter what, people will notice, and your job and everyone around you will become more enjoyable and more productive."
Holmquist was recognized for his outstanding service in the 673d LRS.
"Mike is truly the best of the best,” said Dennis Chartrow, 673d LRS deputy commander. “He has set the example for all of us on how to continue to develop our skills through innovation. Mike is leading his team’s innovation effort with the Smart City Warehouse Campaign as well as using innovation to remake how we provide mobility gear to our JBER Airmen.”
During 2019, Holmquist stepped in as commander during the summer of 2019 and demonstrated his ability to lead from the front while ensuring a seamless command presence.
"My biggest challenge was also my most gratifying,” said Holmquist. “Having the opportunity to support my commander and serve the men and women of the 673 LRS as their deputy commander was an amazing experience. I served with an amazing group of Airmen who made my short tenure a truly rewarding experience.”
Whether in uniform or out, JBER personnel continue to lead the way in readiness.