Erwin ALS graduates Class 11-G Published Sept. 19, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Damean Moore Erwin Professional Military Education Center KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Erwin Professional Military Education Center wrapped up six weeks of training for 53 students of Airman Leadership School Class 11-G with a graduation banquet and awards ceremony at the Rocker NCO Club here, Sept. 8. Designed to prepare senior airmen for positions of greater responsibility, Airman Leadership School strengthens the ability to lead, follow and manage by providing many of the leadership skills required of military supervisors. In addition to the demanding course work, the students took part in a rigorous fitness challenge and the time-honored traditional First Sergeants vs. Students volleyball games. The challenge tested each flight, not only physically and mentally, but also in their ability to work as a team. The overall winner of the Erwin ALS Fitness Challenge for Class 11-G was Eagle Flight. During the graduation ceremony and following a keynote address by guest speaker, Chief Master Sgt. Victoria Gamble, 353rd Special Operations Group command chief, special recognition was presented to several ALS students. The top graduate and recipient of the John L. Levitow Award was Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Benavides, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. This is the highest honor awarded a graduate of any Air Force enlisted professional military education course. It is named for Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant John L. Levitow for his actions during the Vietnam War and is presented to the one student who not only demonstrated academic excellence, but also the outstanding attributes of leadership, enthusiasm, military bearing, and dedication to the spirit and mission of the total Air Force. The Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to the students in the top ten percent of the class. It is based on objective and performance evaluations, demonstrated leadership, and performance as a team player. The Distinguished Graduates were: Staff Sgt. Brian K. McCutcheon, 18th Communications Squadron Staff Sgt. Jesse J. Mercado, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Senior Airman Joshua L. Foster, 18th Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Terrance S. Dove, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Nathanael E. Roberts, 18th CES The Academic Achievement Award was presented to Staff Sgt. Brian K. McCutcheon, 18th CS. This award denotes excellence as a scholar. It is based upon all summative objective tests and individual performance evaluations and is given to the student with the highest overall academic standing. The Commandant Award was presented to Senior Airman Joshua L. Foster, 18th OSS. This award is presented to the student who made the most significant contribution to the overall success of the class by demonstrating superior leadership abilities and excellent skills as a team member. Graduates from the six-week course included: EAGLE FLIGHT Class First Sergeant: Staff Sgt. Jesse Mercado, 18th CES Flight Leader: Staff Sgt. Douglas Shyers, 18th CS Staff Sgt. Ryan Sjurson, 320th Special Tactics Squadron Senior Airman William Doukas, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Louis Giardina, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Kolton Gomes, 18th EMS Senior Airman AnaMaria Johnson, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Kenneth Meyer, 18th EMS Senior Airman James Miller, 18th Medical Operations Squadron Senior Airman Arron Robinson, 18th Maintenance Operations Squadron Senior Airman Kyle Rudolph, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Jason Sirmons, 18th AMXS Senior Airman Steven Trevizo, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Lucas Vreeken, 18th EMS FALCON FLIGHT Flight Leader: Staff Sgt. Bradly Schrage, 18th CES Senior Airman Wesley Anderson, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron Senior Airman William Beals, 18th Security Forces Squadron Senior Airman Walter Dyle, 33rd Rescue Squadron Senior Airman Donald Greer Jr., 733rd Air Mobility Squadron Senior Airman Jemal Harris, 733rd AMS Senior Airman Edwin Lopez, 18th AMXS Senior Airman Leslie Lucas, Det 3 Air Postal Squadron Senior Airman Johnathon Myers, 18th AMXS Senior Airman Earl Orfrecio, 18th EMS Senior Airman Luke Savage, 18th EMS Senior Airman Ashley Walker, 18th CS PHANTOM FLIGHT Flight Leader: Staff Sgt. Kenneth Benavides, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron SSgt Keith Dickman, 18th Munitions Squadron Senior Airman Charise Byrd, 18th CS Senior Airman David Catala, 18th EMS Senior Airman David Chapman, 18th EMS Senior Airman Terrance Dove, 18th AMXS Senior Airman Edward Feathers, 733rd AMS Senior Airman Joshua Gacad, 718th AMXS Senior Airman Brett Geddings, 18th EMS Senior Airman Anthony Hill, 18th CMS Senior Airman Daniel Pipkin, 18th Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Windy Porter, 18th Wing Senior Airman Jason Waters, 18th CS TALON FLIGHT Class Leader: Staff Sgt. David Bridges, 18th AMXS Flight Leader: Staff Sgt. Brian McCutcheon, 18th CS Senior Airman Tracy Burwell, 18th AMXS Senior Airman Amber Chapman, 18th EMS Senior Airman David Duprey, 82nd Reconnaissance Squadron Senior Airman Chace Eck, 18th AMXS Senior Airman Nelson English, 18th LRS Senior Airman Joshua Foster, 18th OSS Senior Airman Mark Hawkins, 18th CS Senior Airman David Reddoch, 18th EMS Senior Airman Nathanael Roberts, 18th CES Senior Airman Craig Spencer, 18th EMS Senior Airman Justin Tite, 33rd RQS Senior Airman Phillip Winston, 18th CS