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Schools announce SECAF Leadership Awards

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MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  Spaatz Center's Air War College, Air Command and Staff College and Squadron Officers' School; and the Barnes Center Senior NCO Academy have announced recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award.

This award is given annually to the graduate who demonstrated the greatest leadership while attending the respective school.

At AWC, Col. Patrick J. Owens "epitomized those characteristics of leadership and officership the school strives to develop in senior leaders."  As the class president for 2009, he directed more than a dozen functions to include school-wide social activities and community service projects for Montgomery and surrounding communities.

Colonel Owens organized AWC students in supporting several of their classmates and faculty members who were undergoing personal hardship, according to his citation.  "He is a team leader who promotes cohesion and brings out the best performance in everyone."

At ACSC, Maj. Sean P. Boles was also the class president.  "Major Boles' leadership, integrity, and dedication were instrumental in establishing and maintaining his class's remarkable unity, esprit-de-corps, and winning reputation."

Major Boles' leadership resulted in the development of the class' strategic plan with the highest scholastic and community goals.  He played a key role in ACSC winning the Air University Commander's Trophy.  Major Boles was also cited for facilitating more than 5,000 volunteer hours to community service projects.

At SOS, Capt. Timothy J. Spaulding graduated first in the SOS class from Jan. 7 to Feb. 8. 
"He was an excellent role model in several extremely challenging leadership situations," his citation said.

Captain Spaulding's ability to demonstrate outstanding formal and informal communication skills had significant impact on flight cohesion.  He showed professional qualities and interpersonal skills that highlighted him as a talented motivator and leader, the citation said.

At SNCOA, Senior Master Sgt. David W. Wade was the most outstanding graduate for Class 09-Alpha and the most outstanding student who attended the academy from March 18, 2008 through Feb. 24, 2009.

"His unsurpassed leadership and knowledge set him apart as a role model for senior noncommissioned officers in the United States Air Force," his citation said.