Public Affairs wins 2 AETC awards

Published Jan. 27, 2010
By Susan Griggs
Keesler News editor

KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- The 81st Training Wing Public Affairs office claimed two awards in the 2009 Air Education and Training Com-mand Public Affairs Excel-lence awards competition.

Tech. Sgt. Chuck Marsh, now assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, is AETC's outstanding communication noncommissioned officer of the year, and the public affairs team earned the Maj. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold Award for public affairs communication effectiveness.

Sergeant Marsh, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Keesler's public affairs office, was deployed for six months to the International Security Assistance Force, a NATO-led security and development mission in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Sergeant Marsh coordinated information requests and total Operation Enduring Freedom mission coverage, expediting network interviews and serving as key coalition liaison with Afghan ministries. He wrote more than 300 press releases and managed senior leader video teleconferences that were aired on the Pentagon Channel.

He also trained 124 peers and 40 Afghan officials on public affairs basics and initiated and reported on a weekly Armed Forces Network radio program. He also volunteered at the morale element at his deployed location and re-searched and posted news and Defense Department updates to 1,300 U.S. military members.

At Keesler, he was instrumental in Keesler's media plan for the 2009 Thunder on the Bay air show that drew 142,000 people the base in April. He also served as president of the base's chapter of Airmen Against Drunk Driving and a youth soccer coach.

The public affairs team was recognized for its successful media campaign for the 2009 Conseil International du Sport Militaire 5th World Military Women's Soccer Champion-ship held at Keesler in June. CISM is one of the world's largest multidisciplinary sports organizations, organizing various athletic events for the armed forces of the 131 member nations.

The wing's public affairs representatives planned and executed an aggressive promotional and coverage strategy, complete with use of traditional media as well as newer social media avenues. The proactive approach and real-time upload of the tournament's daily happenings, scores and statistics to keep audiences informed contributed to the success of the international event.

Public affairs wins 2 AETC awards