Graydon Williams Award Winner Recognized

  • Published
  • By Capt. Elizabeth Magnusson
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Senior Master Sgt. Steve Brook, 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron, transportation manager, was selected as the 2011 Graydon Williams Award recipient on February 10, 2012.

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee presented the award during a recent luncheon held at the Club Five Six. Lt Col Mike Boutet, 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander accepted the Graydon William award on behalf of Brook.

"Resourceful, forward thinking and selfless define SMSgt Brook -- he exemplifies the Graydon Williams Award", commented Boutet during the award luncheon. "He demonstrates initiative in every project he tackles and constantly goes the extra mile and takes on tasks outside his normal responsibilities to ensure our training and mission readiness are at the highest standard."

Brook's list of accomplishments is long in 2011 but it was his high-energy, high-impact and mastery of transportation issues that led him to be selected as the Graydon William Award recipient.

Brook managed travel for over 90 Air Expeditionary Force deployments for 250 Wing members. He also organized the Logistic Readiness Squadrons annual tour deployment to Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam, Hawaii. The deployment was extremely successful due to Brook's enthusiastic work and as a testament to his work the host commander is ready to have the unit come back again.

"I am both deeply honored and humbled by winning such a prestigious award" said Brook. "I have always tried to meet or exceed any requests for transportation support from the wing, it is nice to be recognized for our efforts."

Brook is not only recognized as the Wings transportation expert but he was also the go-to person for both the 10th Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command functional area managers as a transportation evaluator for Staff Assistance Visits and Unit Compliance Inspections. He is also the powerhouse behind AFRC's only functioning Contingency Operations Readiness Training program, which is an innovative multi-unit off-station training.

"SMSgt Brook lives, breathes, and displays AF core values throughout the LRS and wing", said Boutet. "He one of finest Senior NCOs in the 944th Fighter Wing."

The Graydon William Award is presented annually to an Air Reserve Technician or Active Guard Reserve member who personifies the character and traits of the late Tech. Sgt. Graydon Williams, a 944th Fighter Wing maintenance ART who died at a young age of cancer. The essence of the award is based on superior performers who do not seek recognition, perform clearly above expectations, and have not been adequately recognized for their overall contributions and impact on the wing.