Photo By Dan DiPietro | Members of the 158th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, Senior Master...... read more read more
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SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt.,– The 158th Civil Engineer Squadron and 158th CES Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, won the 2022 Colonel William L. Deneke Outstanding Civil Engineer Unit and the Senior Master Sergeant Gerald J. Stryzak award for the top performing EOD flight, Jan. 31.
While the Col. William L. Deneke award recognizes the entire squadron, the Senior Master Sgt. Gerald J. Stryzak award acknowledges the EOD team, a unit within the CES. One of the reasons the EOD team was recognized is for responding to five calls for assistance from civilian law enforcement where the team was able to destroy 11 ordnance items potentially hazardous to Vermonters.
“The 158th EOD flight has spearheaded a wide spectrum of core mission sets across the entire guard, and active duty,” said Tech Sgt. Andrew Borgens, 158th CES EOD technician. “This is especially true in regard to our state partnership programs and our participation at national level EOD functions.”
The Stryzak award is named in honor of EOD technician Senior Master Gerald Stryzak who perished when the C-141 he was aboard crashed during a tactical response deployment to Egypt, in 1980.
“This is the first time we’ve submitted a package for the Stryzak award,” said Borgens. “However, the high levels of participation and professionalism within the flight are consistent with our normal battle rhythm and we appreciate being recognized for our effort.”
Although this is the first time the EOD team has won the Stryzak award, the overall squadron has been named outstanding civil engineer unit multiple times.
“The engineers of the 158th CES have a history of demonstrated excellence in all they do,” said Lt. Col. Philip Delong, 158th CES commander. “This is the fourth time they have received this award since 1979. Not only are they technically competent, but they are leaders in the civil engineer enterprise.”
This recognition marks a track record of innovation, dedication and professionalism by the engineers in the squadron.
“They constantly seek to improve our processes and the process of other units through staff assistance visits, innovative readiness training projects, serving on field advisory councils, sharing knowledge through networking, and providing training through the state partnership program,” said Delong.
Air National Guard civil engineer duties include an array of responsibilities from construction and maintenance of wing facilities and utility systems to fire protection, explosive ordnance disposal and emergency management.
“It’s honestly humbling for me to be able to serve such a talented group of engineers, and to be a part of the Green Mountain Boy legacy,” said Delong. “I’m excited that receiving this award highlights what I see every day, and that is excellence in all they do. Engineers lead the way!”
| Date Taken: | 02.08.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2023 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 438065 |
| Location: | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 162 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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