AF Association honors Academy chaplain, education program

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy's undergraduate education programs and an Academy chaplain received awards Sept. 19 at the Air Force Association's annual Air & Space Conference & Technology Exposition in National Harbor, Md.

The Air Force Association presented the 2011 Chaplain Corps Award for outstanding performance by a member of the Air Force Chaplain Corps to Chaplain (Capt.) Chad Zielinski and presented the 2011 Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award for outstanding contribution in aerospace education to Academy Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana Born and the Collaborative Undergraduate Education Programs.

Zielinski earned the award both for his work at the Academy and while deployed to the joint operating environments of Afghanistan. While deployed, he provided spiritual support for 18 different forward operating bases and combat outposts, rode 11 air missions and 26 convoys and led 30 people to shelter when two of his services were interrupted by rocket fire. The chaplain also led distribution of support to more than 800 school children, 20 teachers and 500 other residents of Kherwar Village, building confidence in U.S. forces.

Back at the Academy, Zielinski was active with cadet Special Programs in Religious Education endeavors, leading several retreats and increasing cadet volunteer service.

The Association specifically cited the cadet design, launch and continuing operations of the FalconSAT satellite program and the international culture and language opportunities available to cadets in giving the Vandenberg Award to Born and the CUEP.

"U.S. combat operations share a common linkage -- the use of technology to gain an advantage in the battle arena. This capability is the product of an education infrastructure that has cultivated researchers, innovators, engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel who are capable of designing, operating, and supporting these technologies," said S. Sanford Schlitt, AFA vice chairman of the board for aerospace education. "As we look to the future, it is clear there will be demand for an even higher level of basic education and an increasing percentage of individuals with skills in science, technology, engineering and math."

The Academy faculty has been heavily involved in local and regional STEM education efforts, including hosting chemistry and physics education seminars for scouts and at local schools and last week's donation of a jet engine to Denver Public Schools.

This is the third time a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy has received the Vandenberg award from the Air Force Association since its inception in 1948. Brig. Gen. Robert McDermott, who served as dean of the faculty from 1956 to 1968 and after whom the Academy's cadet library is named, accepted the award in 1963. Lt. Gen. Bradley C. Hosmer, the 12th superintendent of the Academy from 1991-1994, received the award in 1993.

Other award winners over the years have included Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle, Gen. Carl Spaatz, Ross Perot, Jr., the Community College of the Air Force, Gen. William Looney III and Gen. Stephen Lorenz.