Hanscom gathers Air Force level awards

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Capt. Jason Boerboom, an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center acquisition cost analyst, the Air Force Band of Liberty as well as the Hanscom Aero Club Program were recently recognized as Air Force award recipients for 2012.

Boerboom captured the Air Force Acquisition Cost Analyst of the Year Award for 2012.

The Air Force Band of Liberty was awarded the Col. George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

The 66th Force Support Squadron's Aero Club was recognized at a winner in the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Chief of Safety Awards for 2012.

Capt. Jason Boerboom
Boerboom identified a $180 million cost savings justification for a Laser Target Imaging Program contract extension. Additionally, he was responsible for completing a firewall program estimate nine weeks early that resulted in more than a $1 million in savings.

The captain also served as the organization's physical training leader and fitness program manager. He led a 32-member weekly training session that resulted in a 100 percent pass rate and an 88 percent excellent test score among those testing.

"Captain Boerboom represents the 'best whole person concept' in cost estimators--acquisition savvy, superb technical training, his ability to always 'lean forward' in an inherently difficult estimating job that makes him the type of estimator needed in the fast paced and always changing world of acquisition estimating," said Andrew Panela, Aerial Network Division cost chief and Boerboom's former supervisor. "He provides true value to the Air Force, the DOD and the taxpayers."

Col. George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands
The United States Air Force Band of Liberty was awarded the prestigious international award recognizing military concert bands.

The purpose of the award is to identify and recognize active duty and reserve military concert bands that have demonstrated significant high standards of musical excellence in concert performances under the current conductor.

"This award is a testament to our Airmen-musicians and the excellence in all they do no matter the circumstance," said Capt. Dave Alpar, Air Force Band of Liberty commander and conductor. "Even with the deactivation of the band, the limited budgets and an uncertain future, they still perform with the highest caliber of musicianship and professionalism."

Eligible bands must be active duty or a reserve military concert band. The band must perform standard concert band literature and instrumentation must be suitable for literature performed. Programs from a recent concert and a concert recording were included with the application.

According to the chairman of the selection committee, the applicants met very specific and rigorous eligibility criteria.

"It is the opinion of the committee that this organization not only reflects the highest core values of the Air Force, but is also outstanding in all specific requirements" said retired Col. Lowell Graham, Citation of Musical Excellence Committee chairman. "The USAF Band of Liberty is to be commended for its outstanding work for not only the USAF, but also the U.S. military."

The Hanscom Air Force Base Aero Club
The club developed pilot reviews as well as standardization boards and safety meetings that resulted in zero incidents during 1,360 hours of flight time. The team was also awarded the Hanscom Team Safety Award in 2012 for their in-house Operation Risk Management safety program.

Aero Club staff provided humanitarian support that was coordinated by Angel Flights. Of the flights, 22 resulted in life saving treatments. Additionally, the club supported four Boy Scout Troops during their aviation merit badge days as well as Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps tours for numerous future aviators.

"Aero Club safety is a full contact team sport and all involved are required to be on their A game daily," said Vic Hayes, 66th Force Support Squadron director. "The factors that set Hanscom apart from other Aero Clubs is the professional attitude and first class approach taken by Steve Bates and his staff. They get it, they enforce it and we are all blessed that they do."