HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
January 15, 2016
Volume 40, number 2
Ramstein civilian epitomizes cyber, IT excellence by Staff Sgt. Armando Schwier-Morales 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs I t started with a team working on a project to help allies communicate intelligence. The system was built; they just needed to learn it and make it better. Then, world events pushed their program’s efforts to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Matthew Sion, 1st Air and Space Communications O perations Squadron’s European Partner I ntegration Enterprise system support chief, and his team ensured the EPI E provided the United States and partnered allied nations with the necessary systems to deliver coalition intelligence in the European theater. F or his role in the EPI E system, the Department of Defense awarded Sion the 2015 DO D Chief I nformation fficer ar for C er an I T Excellence. O ther accomSee EXCELLENCE, Page 3
Photo by Eboni Everson-Myart
Terry Halvorsen, Department of Defense chief information officer (left), poses with Matthew Sion, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron European Partner Integration Enterprise system support chief, at the 2015 Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Award for Cyber and IT Excellence ceremony Dec. 1 at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Sion won first place in the individual category for his efforts in support of current operations in and around Europe.
The Regional Health Command Europe commanding general received F rance’s highest award during a ceremony Jan. 7 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Maj. Gen. Patrick Godart, deputy surgeon general of the F rench Armed F orces, presented the Legion of Honor
to Brig. Gen. Norvell V. Coots on behalf of the president of the F rench Republic. The Legion of Honor, an award originally created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is a military and civil order of merit that is conferred without regard to birth or religion provided that anyone admitted swears to uphold liberty and equality. “F rom the very beginning, Napoleon decorated, in his own words, both ‘ Soldiers and scholars.’
F rom the start, the marshals of the empire and veterans of the revolutionary campaigns thus stood side by side with outstanding members of civil society,” Godart said. “The Legion of Honor is an inestimable source of pride for the recipients and their close relations and an example of good citizenship made public.” Godart explained that approximately 400 non-F rench men and women receive the award each year.
NEWS
Story and photo by Ed Drohan Regional Health Command Europe Public Affairs
NEWS
RHCE commanding general receives France’s highest award
Before leaving for a weekend trip, be sure to check travel restrictions!
435th CRG provides exciting mission for IDMTs, Page 6
See AWARD, Page 2
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F oreigners may receive the Legion of Honor if they have served F rance or advanced the causes that it defends. He went on to say that Coots’ nomination for the award “ … was obvious to us since you are a fervent promoter of friendship and cooperation between F rance and the United States.” “As you once mentioned to me, your uncle, who was also an Army
RAB pharmacy provides care, safety for KMC, Page 10
Germany celebrates ‘crazy’ season, Page 15