Public Affairs wins four command-level awards Published Jan. 24, 2013 By Keesler News Staff 81st Training Wing KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. - -- The 81st Training Wing Public Affairs staff has won four Air Education and Training Command-level Public Affairs Communication Excellence Awards. The winners are: 81st Training Wing Public Affairs -- Maj. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold Award for Public Affairs Communication Effectiveness. 1st Lt. Victoria Porto - Captain Bradley R. Schuldt Outstanding Communication Company-Grade Officer. Jerry Taranto - Outstanding Communication Intermediate-Grade Civilian. Susan Griggs - Outstanding Communication Tactical-Level Civilian. "Hap" Arnold award was presented to the 81st Training Wing for their coordination of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce's quarterly "morning call" hosted at the Bay Breeze Event Center in October. They reinvigorated the program by turning a community meeting into a full multimedia show honoring Keesler's Airmen and educating more than 200 distinguished visitors on Keesler's role in the community and in the Air Force. Porto was named one of the AETC Inspector General's top five percent professional performers during the AETC Consolidated Unit Inspection for leading her team to a zero-discrepancy "excellent" rating. She saved the Air Force $330,000 per year by orchestrating a new visual information contract and writing a public affairs prioritization plan. She also supervised Keesler's social media program during Hurricane Isaac providing potentially life-saving information to more than 6,000 people. Taranto led a last-minute congressional staff visit to the base and coordinated a tour to share Keesler's mission and people with members of the House of Representatives. He was the public affairs representative for the Portraits in Courage member chosen for Keesler. He also led the banquet and coordinated flyover requests and media coverage for Keesler's involvement in the 2012 Mississippi Bowl Game reaching more than 100,000 viewers. Griggs directed honor guard support for 34 civic events ensuring increased taxpayer support and understanding of the Air Force mission. She led the base tour program, organizing 24 events and showcasing Keesler Airmen and missions to more than 141,000 people locally. She also revitalized the speaker's bureau program and added 80 new speakers by engaging commanders to nominate Air Force ambassadors. The winners now move forward to compete at the Air Force level.