Kadena Airman named AF Outstanding Cyberspace CGO of the Year Published May 8, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- A Kadena Airman was named the 2012 Air Force Outstanding Cyberspace Company Grade Officer of the Year. During his time as the 18th Communications Squadron operations flight commander, Capt. Nathan Hoevelkamp led approximately 200 military and more than 80 civilian personnel who make up the Air Force's largest communications squadron flight. The flight is responsible for the computer networks, handheld radios, airfield communications instruments, cables, computer software, the network control center and the telephone systems on Kadena. The award honors Gen. John P. Jumper, the former Chief of Staff of the Air Force. General Jumper's vision and passion for integrating Air Force resources to better support the warfighter are an inspiration to all Airmen. The award recognizes individuals for sustained superior performance and outstanding contributions to Air Force warfighting and/or operations support. Hoevelkamp credits Lt. Col. Todd Stratton, 18th Communications Squadron commander, and the leadership in charge of sections within the flight for his success. "Colonel Stratton is very deliberate in what he does so it felt great (to be nominated)," Hoevelkamp said. "I don't believe that he'll put anybody in (for awards) unless they deserve it, so it was very complimentary just to have him want to put me in." He didn't even dream of winning at the Air Force-level. When he heard he won at the major command-level it was enough for him; to go any further felt impossible. "When I won at the MAJCOM-level, I was like, 'I'm done, great, I can't believe I won at the MAJCOM-level'," Hoevelkamp said. "I had never won an award above the wing level; in fact the only squadron-level award I've won was from Colonel Stratton." "I guess the word to explain it is just grateful; I felt very grateful," he added. Some of Hoevlkamp's accomplishments include working with MAJCOM functional managers to gain senior leadership billets for the flight, perfecting pre-migration execution for one of the largest and busiest wings resulting in PACAF's smoothest Air Force Network migration. He also executed a $3.6 million operation and maintenance budget and directed planning of 110 projects valued at $550 million.