7th BW Airmen receive Vaught leadership awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  
As Airmen grow in the military, whether it’s personally or professionally, there is typically someone there to help provide mentorship and guidance. Three such individuals here at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, were recently recognized for their constant efforts in helping others become better leaders.

Last month, Captain Kiersten Thompson, 7th Operations Support Squadron scheduler, Master Sgt. Shirley Phillips, 7th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight superintendent, and Lisa Wahl, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron secretary, received the 2019 Brigadier General Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award at the Air Force Global Strike Command level for their hard work and dedication at Dyess AFB.

The Brigadier General Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award is presented to an officer, enlisted member and civilian from any career field or occupational series who exhibits innovation, commitment and a selfless spirit of service to others.

“I am very passionate about what I do,” said Wahl. “I enjoy mentoring Airmen and seeing them advance to become something greater, then take that information they learn back to their flights to help their Airmen grow as well.”

The winners were all selected for their mentorship and leadership of their fellow Airmen and personnel counterparts. Each recipient’s innovative efforts helped to inspire positive changes that significantly improved others, expanded opportunities, and helped to further Airmen in their careers.

Thompson led the charge in coaching young female athletes by instructing on skills, leadership, teamwork and communication to transform the players into cohesive teams. She was also appointed as the 7th Bomb Wing’s female aircrew representative who vocalized female specific issues for awareness.

Phillips noticed a decline in manning of supervision and leaders, which led her to create a solution for her squadron. She organized leadership workshops to help encourage Airmen to enhance their leadership skills and learn to grow as better supervisors. Phillips also stays connected with the Airmen she leads by visiting each facility she manages to speak with and mentor each Airman.

Wahl not only helped with mentoring Airmen within her squadron, but also fixed deployment errors, found better ways to help the 7th LRS team and was able to maintain over one thousand meetings where many key decisions were made. Wahl also helped in inspiring eight booster and sports events, which helped the squadron’s internal engagements increase.

“This was an amazing experience,” said Phillips. “I was in awe when I found out I won at the Global Strike level. That meant that the impact I was having on my Airmen meant something and I didn’t realize that until I was recognized by someone else. At the end of the day, we sharpen each other. So instead of being a dull sword, let’s help each other become a sharp one.”

After winning the award at the AFGSC level, the winners will continue on to compete at the Air Force level.