Hispanic engineering program recognizes Castillo with award Published Oct. 26, 2009 By Angela Cutrer 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Each year, the Air Force selects four individuals to honor during the annual Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Corporation and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Awards Program. This year, a Keesler newcomer takes one of the top honors. Lt. Col. Karen Castillo arrived at Keesler this summer to become the 81st Training Wing's inspector general. She earned her Luminary Award during her tenure as deputy director of contracting, human resources and corporate development at the Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Va. She attended the award ceremony Friday in Long Beach, Calif., to receive her award during the group's annual conference. "The caliber of HENAAC nominees continues to reflect the highest levels of excellence as more Hispanic professionals advance to the forefront of their organizations," the group's Web site notes. "Initiated in 2004 to bring additional role models to our nation, Luminary honorees are leading, collaborating and initiating key programs and research within their respective organizations." Each honoree shares three common factors: Each is highly respected by peers and management, each is a valuable authority in his or her field and each is blazing the trail for future generations of engineers and scientist, the Web site said. Colonel Castillo was commissioned in 1984 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. She has held a variety of positions at base, center, major command, Air Staff, Joint Staff and Office of the Secretary of Defense levels in acquisition and mission support. She's held assignments at the Pentagon; Dover AFB, Del.; Osan Air Base, Korea; Gunter AFB, Ala.; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Los Angeles AFB, Calif.; Ramstein AB, Germany and Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan.