RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TX –
Three Team Randolph legal personnel were recognized with Air Education and Training Command-level awards recently.
Lt. Col. Mitchel Neurock, Staff Sgt. Ines Fret-Caraballo and Timothy Wommack were recognized with individual awards, all for outstanding service to the Judge Advocate General's corps.
Colonel Neurock, individual mobilization augmentee to the AETC Staff Judge Advocate, was awarded the Harmon Award for the Outstanding Reserve Judge Advocate.
The colonel was noted for his dedication, leadership, intelligence and professionalism.
He volunteered for a 60-day "front-line" deployment to provide critical support to the fledgling Iraqi criminal justice system. While deployed, he set the standard at the Central Criminal Court of Iraq, eliminating more than 150 back logged cases.
"I am most proud of the criminal cases I handled in Iraq," Colonel Neurock said. "It was satisfying to have the opportunity to bring insurgents to justice, and to play a role in the development of the new democratic Iraq."
Colonel Neurock also directed a large press contingent at Saddam Hussein's trial, and devised and implemented a plan to return personal property to detainees after their release, preserving the rights of Iraqi citizens.
"It's great to be recognized as a part of such a top-flight organization," the colonel said.
Sergeant Fret-Caraballo, 19th Air Force Military Justice NCO in charge, was awarded the 2006 Swigonski Award for Outstanding Paralegal Airman. She competed against the nominees from each base legal office under 19th AF and then the winners from 2nd AF and Air University.
Sergeant Fret-Caraballo was especially noted for her exceptional work as office manager, usually a position filled by a master sergeant, and served as NCOIC of two sections at the same time for more than three months.
The sergeant was also applauded for discovering and alerting Headquarters Air Force Staff Judge Advocate of a criminal law database error. By fixing the glitch, thousands of records and thousands of dollars were saved. She also saved $50,000 in appellate and rehearing costs when she detected a critical procedural error in a court martial.
She was cited as a superb mentor, as she supplied training and support to more than 50 paralegals at eight bases, significantly enhancing JA efficiency.
"Winning this award is surreal," Sergeant Fret-Caraballo said. "I am happy that my leadership appreciates me enough to take the time to recognize me for doing a job I love to do."
Timothy Wommack, 19th Air Force legal assistant, was awarded the 2006 Vague Award for Outstanding Legal Service Civilian.
This award is given every year to the JAG corps' best civilian employee, based on superior performance, strong initiative and dedication to duty.
Mr. Wommack created the first ever Knowledge Now Web site for 19th AF legal offices. This Web site provides legal guidance and discussion forums, and was identified by JAG Corps Information Systems as "ideal."
He also assembled more than 1,250 justice and civil law matters for the 19th AF commander's action, and aided the 19th AF law office manager by flawlessly processing and funding $75,000 for 20 expert witness requests.
"Working at 19th Air Force has allowed me to interact daily with some very dedicated and hardworking individuals," Mr. Wommack said. "These individuals have taken the time and energy to mentor and recognize my contributions in the overall success of 19th Air Force."
Overall, Team Randolph personnel took three of the six AETC-level JAG awards. These winners will represent the command at the Air Force-level competition.