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18th Wing chaplain corps wins AF level awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hailey Davis
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 18th Wing chaplain corps was recently awarded the Large Chapel Organization of the Year award at the Air Force level.

"It's thrilling because it validates the hard work that people put into the chapel," said Col. Steven McCain, 18th Wing chaplain. "This is the second time since I've been here that we've won the very best in the Air Force."

In 2011, the chaplain corps had roughly 1,000 volunteers, and in 2012, the corps added approximately 500 volunteers to the community.

"I think what makes us significant is the volunteers," McCain said. "It's a community award. When I have NCOs and senior NCOs stepping up to mentor Airmen or who will spend time with children and tech them, that's what stands out."

Melissa Rafferty, Wired Bean activities coordinator, also won the Air Force Chaplain Corps Civilian of the Year award at the Air Force level.

McCain said Rafferty separated from the Air Force because she wanted to invest her life in young adults, specifically women in the military.

"She runs the activities in the Wired Bean and wanted to touch Airmen's lives just like other people had encouraged her along the way," McCain added.

Approximately 800 junior enlisted personnel visit the Wired Bean, a chapel-driven establishment for Airmen, each month, and Rafferty developed programs that help build Airman leadership and give opportunities to serve in the community.

"She started out with three special programs every month, and now there are more than 40," McCain said.

Programs range from fishing trips, rice collection programs and Japanese learning classes, to one-on-one mentoring with NCOs.

"I've never seen it anywhere else (in the 24 years) I've been in the Air Force," McCain said. "It's the volunteers that make our programs successful and the awards are a testimony to the great community that we're a part of and that sincerely cares about our Airmen and junior enlisted tier."