The 2005 Prowler Awards Ceremony served as one the highlights of the 35th annual Prowler Week, honoring excellence in service and maintenance provided by EA-6B enlisted Sailors.

According to Capt. Robert C. Field, Commander Electronic Attack Wing, Pacific Fleet, the event provided an opportunity to recognize individual efforts and team performance alike.

“To keep our planes in the air and our aircrew ready, it takes all of us putting forth individual effort and then coming together as a team,” said Field. “Yet among those group accomplishments are some exemplary individual efforts which are worthy of recognition.”

The ceremony was held on the flight line behind base Operations and featured personnel from all of the Prowler squadrons aboard NAS Whidbey Island. Navy Band Seattle kicked off the festivities with its 14-piece ensemble.

“It’s important to recognize those who’ve put forth a tremendous effort,” Field said. “By holding the ceremonies in this forum, [the recipients’] peers get to see those individuals who are doing things right.”

Sailors and Marines were nominated in numerous categories including administration, power plants, plane captain, maintenance administration and information technology.

“I feel greatly honored to come out here and receive this award,” said AT1(AW) Shawn Ross, honored as the Enlisted Maintenance Instructor of the Year. “It makes me want to strive to do my job better, and I think it motivates the others who are present to do the same.”

A luncheon sponsored by Northrop Grumman immediately followed the awards ceremony, which provided an informal setting for officer and enlisted personnel to congratulate the award recipients.

While the accolades were well received, Sailors and Marines such as AME1(AW) William Oalmann, one of the awardees, acknowledged that he received this award largely because of strong performances from those around him.

“You deploy and work hard to get the job done, and to come home and be honored for it is nice,” said Oalmann. “But this is a team effort. This award is not just for me, but also for those working with me.”

2005 Enlisted Prowler Award Winners

ADMINISTRATION - DK1(AW) Kourtney R. Salt, VAQ-131

CAREER COUNSELOR - NC1(AW/SW) Jason R. Lewis, VAQ-134

CPO/STAFF NCO LEADERSHIP - ATCS(AW/SW) Michael W. Summers, AIMD

HOSPITAL CORPSMAN - HM2(AW) Jose R. Lopezanderson, VAQ-134

INTELLIGENCE/CRYPTO - IS1(AW/SW) Michelle L. Swindle, VAQ-137

PLANE CAPTAIN - AN(AW) Michael E. Sangiovanni, VAQ-136

TROUBLE SHOOTER - AM2(AW) Patrick M. Rzeszut, VAQ-134

POWER PLANTS - AD1(AW) Michael A. Williamson, VAQ-142

AIRFRAMES - AM1(AW) Mathew D. Evans, VAQ-141

AIRCREW EQUIPMENT - PR1(AW) Laura E. Tejedaramos, VAQ-133

ARMAMENT - AO1(AW/SW) Gerardo J. Sanchez, VAQ-130

CORROSION CONTROL - AM2(AW) Joshua E. Lazanis, VAQ-129

ENVIRONMENTAL/EGRESS - AME1(AW) William D. Oalmann, VAQ-138

MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATION - AZ1(AW) Chad W. Young, VAQ-137

ELECTRONICS - AT1(AW) Dietrich E. Ahner, VAQ-130

ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT AE1(AW/SW) Bobby D. Gore, VAQ-139

QUALITY ASSURANCE - AM1(AW) Michael R. Marcus, VAQ-134

MAINTENANCE CPO - ATCS(AW) Oscar J. Ledford, VAQ-129

ENLISTED MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTOR - AT1(AW) Shawn G. Ross, CNATTU

SAFETY PETTY OFFICER - AT1(AW) Jerry M. Williams, VAQ-138

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - IT1(SW) Michael D. Consolver, VAQ-141

SELECTED RESERVE - ABF2 Steven C. Augustine, VAQ-129