Pelican Dispatch - Spring 2010 - Keep Trees

Bringing home the gold:
Louisiana Air Guardsman receives highest honor at academy
By 2nd Lt. Alex Juan
159th Fighter Wing Deputy Public Affairs Offi cer
Tech. Sgt. Micah T. Collins, a loadmaster
with the 159th Fighter Wing, recently
brought national recognition to the Louisiana
Air National Guard.
Collins received the John L. Levitow
Award, the pinnacle of achievement for
enlisted personnel, at The I.G. Brown Air
National Guard Training and Education
Center’s Non-commissioned Offi cer Academy
during a graduation ceremony Feb.
11 at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard
Base in Knoxville, Tenn.
“The NCO Academy is merely recognizing
what we already know – Tech. Sgt. Collins
is one of the fi nest NCOs to serve his
country. He has been, and will continue to
be, dedicated to the mission of the 159th
Fighter Wing, the Louisiana Air National
Guard, and the United States Air Force,”
said Col. Peter D. Stavros, 159th Operations
Group commander.
“To me, it is a validation of my efforts;
not just at the NCO Academy, but for the
way I perform on a daily basis,” said Collins.
The John L. Levitow award is voted
on by classmates, teachers and the NCO
Academy staff, who choose one deserving
candidate.
“Tech. Sgt. Collins is a good worker who
is never satisfi ed with just doing what is
required of him,” said Maj. Brian L. McCollough,
159th Operational Support Flight
C-130 Program Manager. “This award is
no surprise; Collins excels at just about
everything that he does.”
“Professionally, I learned techniques and
gained practical experience in managing
the Air Force’s most valuable assets, our
Airmen,” said Collins. “Personally, I learned
about my limitations and strengths.”
Collins advises all Airmen to attend the
in-residence school in order to gain invaluable
experiences and friendships. “Take
advantage of the great opportunities provided
to us by the Louisiana Air National
Guard.”
Tech. Sgt. Micah Collins, 159th Fighter Wing
loadmaster, observes engine startup of the
C-130 prior to departure from Hattiesburg,
Miss., on a boss lift event, Feb. 19 at Camp
Shelby, Miss. Collins was awarded the John L.
Levitow Award Feb. 11, the top award given to
enlisted personnel, bringing national recognition
to the Louisiana Air National Guard.
Photos: Master Sgt. Toby M. Valadie, Louisiana National
Guard State Public Affairs Office
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Spring 2010 / Louisiana National Guard 3