Coyote receives national recognition

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joe Blubaugh
  • 190th ARW Public Affairs
FORBES FIELD ANGB, Topeka, Kan. -- --  The manager of the 190th ARW Ground Safety Program is the latest in a string of Coyotes that have been recognized at the national level for outstanding achievement. Chief Master Sgt. Dena Swisher was recently awarded the Air National Guard Director of Safety Outstanding Safety Achievement Award, commonly referred to as the Safety Heisman. 

The prestigious award recognizes a field unit individual for outstanding ANG safety program management contributions or achievements during the fiscal year. It is the top award given in the safety field in the ANG. The award is open to officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees assigned or detailed to an ANG field unit. 

"I was pleasantly surprised and very humbled to receive this prestigious award," said Swisher. 

The award is selected by the ANG Director of Safety with consultation from the ANG Safety Staff. The Director considers special accomplishments in all areas of mishap prevention, applicability of mishap prevention value outside the individual unit of assignment and community involvement or service. Special consideration is given to mishap prevention execution that crosses disciplines, functional areas, MAJCOMS, services or nations. 

The award was presented to Swisher by the Director of the ANG, Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley at the ANG 2008 Leadership Summit. Swisher was surprised by the award as she wasn't aware that Lt. Col. Chris Gnagi, 190th ARW Chief of Safety, had submitted her for the award. 

"It is widely known that Chief Swisher is the resident expert for all things safety at the 190th," said Gnagi. "This award validates her expertise at the national level." 

"We are very fortunate to have the commander's support, unit members who get involved and a team that likes to have fun with our campaigns," said Swisher. "Whether it's making a funny safety video or handing out safety incentives at the main gate, we strive to come up with new ideas to promote safety both on and off duty."