HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Two members of the 66th Air Base Group Inspector General office earned Air Force Materiel Command recognition for planning and executing large-scale exercises and inspections in 2025.
Maj. Pierre LaPlume, the IG exercises and inspections director, and Master Sgt. Kenneth Souheaver, IG superintendent, received the Lt. Gen. Howard W. Leaf Award in their respective categories.
“This past year, our IG team has put in a tremendous effort toward base exercises and inspections, and these awards are a testament to their hard work,” said Jorge Jimenez, 66 ABG commander. “Winning at the MAJCOM level is a significant achievement, and we are proud of you both.”
LaPlume, who’s received his award in the Officer Category II level, led the planning and execution of Midnight Ride 2025 in less than 100 days. The readiness exercise tested crisis response and wartime capabilities across multiple base agencies.
Additionally, during a federal government shutdown, LaPlume, while filling multiple IG roles, coordinated an active shooter exercise held on base last fall.
The active shooter event integrated local school officials, role players and Wing Inspection Team members to test response procedures from initial threat response to mission recovery.
Souheaver, who won his award at the Enlisted Category II level, played a key role in both the Midnight Ride inspection last summer and the active shooter exercise.
He assisted in coordinating staffing, resources and training to help demonstrate the base’s ability to maintain operations even while operating at reduced manpower levels.
Both LaPlume and Souheaver also partnered with researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory to integrate drone technology into exercise scenarios.
This collaboration with the Federally Funded Research and Development Center improved detection and response protocols and the installation’s ability to protect personnel who work on base, according to IG officials.
“The caliber of every package was exceptionally high, making for a very competitive selection process,” wrote Col. Bryan K. Morgan, the AFMC inspector general, in an email to announce the winners. “This is a powerful validation of the outstanding work your teams do every day and showcases their significant impact on both the unit and Air Force Materiel Command missions.”
Both LaPlume and Souhever will now compete at the Air Force level.