AFRICOM Honors Winners at 2014 Annual Awards Ceremony

U.S. Africa Command recognized the outstanding work of its military and civilian personnel at the 2014 Annual Awards event held at Kelley Barracks May 8.

By Chief Mark Richardson , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany May 12, 2015

View Gallery

AFRICOM Honors Winners at 2014 Annual Awards Ceremony

Gallery contains 1 image

U.S. Africa Command recognized the outstanding work of its military and civilian personnel at the 2014 Annual Awards event held at Kelley Barracks May 8.

Leaders recognized winners of annual awards in the enlisted, senior enlisted, company grade officer, field grade officer, civilian, and the interagency categories.

Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Darrin Bohn, senior enlisted leader, and Ambassador Phillip Carter, deputy to the commander for civil-military engagement, presented the awards.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ibetty Alache, an administrative noncommissioned officer with the AFRICOM commandant's office, spent three months on the team that planned the event.

"We do this to show the members we appreciate what they're doing for AFRICOM," Alache said. "A lot of people showed up and cheered for their coworkers."

The winners received either a Joint Service Achievement Medal or a Joint Civilian Service Achievement Award, and a time off award.

2014 annual award winners

Enlisted Member of the Year: Staff Sgt. Heather D. Buchwalder
Senior Enlisted Member of the Year: Master Sgt. Kaden B. Brooks
Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Curtis J. Schwarz
Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Vrettos W. Notaras
Civilian CAT I: Yoan A. Alonso
Civilian CAT II: Susan P. Kellett-Forsyth
Civilian CAT III: Melissa L. Jordan
Interagency: Brian T. Johnson

The command also recognized each directorate for their contributions to the 2014 Combined Federal Campaign which saw AFRICOM headquarters raising over $112,000 for CFC-Overseas charity organizations.

Interagency forum looks at U.S. investment in Africa to support U.S. security

U.S. Strengthens Maritime Security Cooperation with Kenya During NAVAF Commander’s Visit

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al-Shabaab

Massachusetts National Guard leaders join Kenyan partners at African Land Forces Summit

U.S., Ivorian Armed Forces Enhance Readiness

Interagency forum looks at U.S. investment in Africa to support U.S. security

More than 160 civilian and military representatives from the Departments of War, State and Commerce met March 26-27, 2026, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to identify strategic priorities and opportunities for the United States in Africa as part of the Africa Strategic Integration Dialogue (ASID).

U.S. Strengthens Maritime Security Cooperation with Kenya During NAVAF Commander’s Visit

U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) strengthened its longstanding security partnership with Kenya during Adm. George Wikoff’s visit to Nairobi and Mombasa, March 24–25.

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al-Shabaab

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on March 27, 2026.

Interagency forum looks at U.S. investment in Africa to support U.S. security

U.S. Strengthens Maritime Security Cooperation with Kenya During NAVAF Commander’s Visit

U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) strengthened its longstanding security partnership with Kenya during Adm. George Wikoff’s visit to Nairobi and Mombasa, March 24–25.

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al-Shabaab

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on March 27, 2026.

Interagency forum looks at U.S. investment in Africa to support U.S. security

U.S. Strengthens Maritime Security Cooperation with Kenya During NAVAF Commander’s Visit

U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) strengthened its longstanding security partnership with Kenya during Adm. George Wikoff’s visit to Nairobi and Mombasa, March 24–25.

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al-Shabaab

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on March 27, 2026.