SMSgt. Noel named Honor Guard Manager for AFMC

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Senior Master Sgt. Laura Noel, superintendent Hanscom Patriot Honor Guard, was recently named Air Force Materiel Command's Base Honor Guard Program Manager of the year for 2007.

Sergeant Noel will now represent AFMC at the upcoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Annual Honor Guard Awards program competition, which recognizes the outstanding professional performance by Air Force enlisted personnel working military funeral honors and ceremonies while assigned to base honor guard programs. The program further recognizes the many personal and professional sacrifices made by members of the various Air Force Honor Guard units.

Sergeant Noel, who has been the superintendent since January 2007, was recognized for her contributions in the area of program management, military honors and ceremonies involving base level programs. Sergeant Noel moved to her present position after being assigned to the Air Force Band of Liberty as a vocalist for 13 years.

"This was definitely a team effort," Sergeant Noel said. "This was a year of firsts for us [Patriot Honor Guard]; the first open house and the first time incorporating military veterans and retirees into our program. We restructured our flight configuration and began an aggressive recruiting effort.

"All of these milestones were accomplished by our team. I am so proud and honored to serve with each and every one of them and to call myself a Patriot Honor Guardsman," she said.

Recently promoted to her current grade, Sergeant Noel graduated from the Senior NCO Academy at Maxwell AFB, Ala. on Feb. 26, earning Distinguished Graduate honors. Only the top 10 percent of the student body who maintain the highest cumulative scores in Leadership and Management, Communication Skills, Flight Instructor Leadership Points and Peer Leadership Points are recognized as Distinguished Graduates.

Sergeant Noel will now go on to compete against fellow honor guardsmen from around the world at the upcoming Air Force level competition for the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year.