Keesler captain wins annual award at Little Rock Published Feb. 3, 2010 By Susan Griggs Keesler News editor KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Capt. Jason Eddy may be assigned to Keesler, but he's made himself known at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., as the 314th Airlift Wing's company grade officer of the year. In addition, his Keesler unit, the 45th Airlift Squadron, captured the 2009 Air Education and Training Command's flying safety plaque for outstanding achievements and contributions to flight safety, flight education/mishap prevention programs, operational risk management integration and bird aircraft strike hazard program. "This is the second year in a row the 45th AS won at the major command level," said Lt. Col. Jimmy Canlas, 45th AS commander. "Last year, we also won at the Air Force level, and we're competing again at the Air Force level for this prestigious award." Captain Eddy is safety officer and C-21 evaluator for the squadron, a tenant unit at Keesler. "We are a geographically separated unit and part of the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock," Colonel Canlas explained. "Captain Eddy first was honored as the 314th Operations Group CGO of the year, then went on to capture the wing's CGO of the year by beating out other Little Rock competitors." Captain Eddy, co-director of Keesler's 2009 Thunder on the Bay air show, instructed more than 130 hours of academic and ground training for 22 pilot initial qualification and instructor pilot classes with a 100 percent on-time graduation. He recently completed his master's degree from Touro University and led his squadron in the Department of Defense fitness challenge, finishing in the top 3 percent. His volunteer work includes Urban Life Missions and Habitat for Humanity efforts to aid local residents still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and serving at a local soup kitchen, mentoring at a juvenile detention center, assisting with the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign as a unit representative and working with Special Olympics. Captain Eddy, who was recognized at Team Little Rock's annual awards banquet Jan. 22, now competes for 19th Air Force honors.