Two vie for leadership award

Published Oct. 9, 2009
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Staff Sgt. Benjamin McQuagge, 81st Security Forces Squadron, and Petty Officer 1st Class Clarence Hartenstine II, an instructor from Keesler's Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, are two of the six military nominees for the 2009 Thomas V. Fredian Community Leadership Award.

The award recognizes community leadership one outstanding enlisted honoree and was named for a former Navy member and public affairs officer at Stennis Space Center who died in 1999.

The winner is announced Tuesday during the 31st annual Salute to the Military at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Convention Center in Biloxi.

Sergeant McQuagge is an 81st SFS military working dog handler. He performs patrolman and supervisor duties expected of all security forces noncommissioned officers as well as trains, certifies and cares for his military working dog, Ziko. A Troy. Ala., native, Sergeant McQuagge is married to Staff Sgt. Mellisa McQuagge, 81st Medical Operations Squadron, and they are expecting their first child this month.

Sergeant McQuagge has previously received the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Armed Forces Expe-ditionary Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal with gold border, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award and Outstanding Unit Award. He was named the 2009 81st Training Wing noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter and 2008 distinguished graduate of the Military Working Dog School. His contributions to the Air Force community include mentoring at-risk youth, hosting foreign soccer teams and demonstrating military working dog capabilities and supporting the U.S. Secret Service on high-visibility missions. He is considered an expert on the employment and conduct of military working dogs and is his commander's go-to Airman when the community needs K9 support.

Petty Officer Hartenstine, a San Antonio native, is an aviation electronics technician who provides technical training and administrative management support for Navy and Marine personnel attending collocated Navy schools and consolidated courses of instruction at Keesler. As the general calibration and maintenance school's leading petty officer, he is responsible for 12 joint-service instructors and 78 joint-service and international students at the deckplate level in matters of military requirements, scholastic achievement and community service.

As his unit's community service coordinator, he routinely advises 218 military and civilian personnel on volunteer opportunities. His commitment has resulted in 52 events totaling 1,620 hours of volunteer contributions to date this year. He was selected the department Sailor of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2009.

He has contributed numerous off-duty hours in support of Nichols Elementary School, Special Olympics, American Heart Association, Boy Scouts of America, the DeSoto National Forest River Cleanup, YMCA and D'Iberville youth soccer, and is assistant drug and alcohol program adviser for his unit.

He's been awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Battle "E", four Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Expe-ditionary Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the NATO Kosovo Medal, the Navy Pistol Shot Ribbon and one Flag Letter of Commendation.

The Salute to the Military brings the nation's top military leaders to the Mississippi Coast to join in tribute to local neighbors-in-uniform. Admiral Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, is the featured speaker, joining Sen. Roger Wicker and Rep. Gene Taylor.
The evening includes a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by a ceremonial program at 7 p.m. and dinner at 7:30, with music by the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.