The August Journalist of the Month, Master Sgt. Julie Avey, documented the California National Guard's battle against the California Rim Fire for a local, national and international audience. The world kept up with the military's... read more
The August Journalist of the Month, Master Sgt. Julie Avey, documented the California National Guard's battle against the California Rim Fire for a local, national and international audience. The world kept up with the military's response to the wildfire partially through the lens of Avey's camera. <br /> <br />
"Master Sgt. Julie Avey has been foundational to our coverage of the wildfires this year," said Capt. Will Martin, chief of media relations California Military Department. "Her willingness to travel across the state, often on a moment's notice, and collect unparalleled imagery was critical to our promoting the National Guard's role in responding to domestic emergencies across California." <br /> <br />
Avey's images were viewed 2,230 times and downloaded more than 380 times in August. Having aired more than 400 times, her videos resulted in more media impressions than any other military journalist during the same time period. The media also ran Avey's photos more than any other military journalist. Media outlets that used Avey's wildfire photos include the Huffington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, ABC News, Sacramento Bee, Associated Press, Reuters, Jyllands-Posten International and many more. <br /> <br />
Some of Avey's more popular images show a crew chief with the CANG sitting on the edge of a helicopter as water is released over the Rim fire below near Yosemite National Park. Her photos show the Rim fire from various angles. Avey captures the smoke billowing into the sky far above the treeline, the view from inside a military helicopter as crews battled the fire and personnel on the ground providing support. <br /> <br />
Her aerial videos of the CANG battling the wildfire aired on numerous TV stations from KIRO-TV in Seattle and KEYE-TV in Austin, Texas, to France 24, Al Jazeera International, Deutsche Welle, FOX News, Euronews, Weather Channel, RTL 4 and more. <br /> <br />
Without Avey's video and images, coverage of the CANG's response to the Rim Fire may not have reached as broad of an audience. <br /> <br />
"Master Sgt. Avey brings to her work both technical and interpersonal skills, as well as military professionalism, that sets her apart from her peers. The time she has invested in relationships across military and civilian communities has been key to our success as a public affairs team." <br /> <br /> show less
