Hanscom personnel, organization rack up more awards Published April 17, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Foster 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Air Force Band of Liberty was recently recognized for an Air Force award and Lt. Col. Catherine McSwain, 66th Air Base Group Reserve Judge Advocate, and Peter Camp, 66th Air Base Group Legal Office Program Counsel, were recognized for Air Force Materiel Command awards. The Air Force Band of Liberty was recognized in the 2012 Air Force Media Contest, while McSwain was named the AFMC Reginald C. Harmon Outstanding Reserve Judge Advocate of 2012 and Camp was chosen as the AFMC James O. Wrightson Jr. winner. The Air Force Band of Liberty The band's final CD compilation, a Latin themed album called "Excursions" and performed by the Bay State Winds, marks the third consecutive year for an Air Force level win. They took home first place for Outstanding Recording of a Single Work for its featured piece "Four for Four," second place for Outstanding Recording of an Original Work for "Aire de Incertidumbre" and second place for Outstanding Small Instrumental Arrangement for "Tango Ballet." The Bay State Winds, led by Master Sgt. Jennifer Dashnaw, worked for more than a year perfecting the musical aspects of the album. It was highlighted by the groups' composer and arranger, Staff Sgt. Matthew Ayala-Román, who composed two of the albums' works and arranged another. Excursions also highlighted the unit's increased efforts in cost savings. The CD was produced entirely in house and saved the Air Force more than $20,000 in facility and equipment rental, producer costs and copyright fees. All of the recordings that the Band of Liberty produces are used to aid in recruiting and community relations efforts and are distributed free to the general public at performances. The band also offers free digital downloads. Excursions, as well as the band's other award winning albums, are all available for free download at www.cdbaby.com/cd/usafbandofliberty2. "The fact this is the third year the Band of Liberty has won an award in the Air Force Media Contest is a testament to the stellar musicianship by our Airmen-Musicians," said Capt. David Alpar, Band of Liberty commander and conductor. "I'm so incredibly proud of my team and all they've accomplished over the years." Lt. Col. Catherine McSwain The Harmon award recognizes the most outstanding Air Reserve component officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel or below based on training accomplishments or contribution to mission support, exhibition of leadership in the military or civilian community and enrollment in off-duty programs of professional self-improvement. McSwain served as Reserve Coordinator for JA and developed a guide for Hanscom JA reservists, which is now used as a model throughout the Air Force. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, she volunteered for a 57 day tour to Anderson AFB, Guam, where, as the Acting Staff Judge Advocate, she advised the command in military justice, ethics, typhoon and emergency response exercises and support to civil authorities. In her off duty time, she advocated for military children by composing an original song, which has been performed by Hanscom Middle School students at school and community events and performed by McSwain and her family at the Hanscom talent show, where they won the family division. She will now compete for the Harmon Award at the Air Force level. Peter Camp The James O. Wrightson Jr. Award recognizes the civilian attorney employed by or serving with the Judge Advocate General's Corps selected as the most outstanding civilian attorney of the year based on demonstrated excellence, initiative and devotion to duty. Camp served as the interim leader of his division providing procurement law advice to a major general and SES-level program executive officers. He also led the way in distance learning for Air War College programs and established a dozen separate seminars for geographically separated students. Camp maintained the Air Force-wide government contract law homepage for Department of Defense attorneys and also served for his fourth year on the Air Force law review editorial board. As an instructor and leader, he was a by-name request by a nationwide contract officer's development organization to train more than 350 contracts officers on contract, fiscal and data rights issues. Camp will now compete for the Wrightson Award at the Air Force level.