Current WSMR AUSA Activities and Recognitions

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Chapter Activities

AUSA Supports Retirement Ceremony

The White Sands Navy’s detachment Master chief O’Bannon retired after 24 years of service to the country. His tour included service onboard USS BARNEY DDG-6, USS STOUT (DDG 55), USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66), and USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79).

His final tour was with the Navy detachment located at White Sands Missile Range. He serviced as the detachment’s senior enlisted advisor as well as the command master chief for the Port Hueneme Division, the detachment’s parent command.

Master Chief O’Bannon plans to retire at Virginia Beach, VA and do lots of fishing. AUSA members were there to wish him “fair winds and following seas”.

AUSA Supports WSMR Organizational Day

AUSA members manned a booth and recruited new members at the annual WSMR organization day on 19 July 2007. The event lasted all day and was full of fun activities such as a 5K run & walk, golf and table tennis tournaments, and a live band provided entertainment. Corporate Members (Quantum and WSFCU) showed their AUSA spirit and helped out with the festivities.

Chapter Recognitions

AUSA supporting Soldiers, Sailors, & Airmen

The Annual WSMR Tri-Service Awards Banquet was held on 7 September 2007, in Las Cruces, NM to honor the post's top six enlisted personnel. There were over 150 corporate members, White Sands Command staff, family members, and Guest Speaker CAPT Ed Landauer in attendance. AUSA chapter presented $100 savings bonds to each of the recipients: Army NCO of the Year SGT Jason Barksdale (also ATEC NCO of the year!!), Army Soldier of the Year Specialist Joshua Stanfield, Navy Senior of the Year SK1 Sammy R. Davison (in Iraq wife accepting), Navy Junior Sailor of the Year SM2 Nickolas C. Walker (in Iraq, wife accepting) Air Force NCO of the Year Staff Sergeant Jayson M. Harris, and Air Force Airman of the Year Senior Airman Wesley H. Carter, Jr. The ceremony featured the festive Punchbowl ceremony recognizing all local branches of military, local support, and civilian service.

WSMR thanks AUSA

A special “Thank You” luncheon was held for supporters of White Sands Missile Range on 27 July 2007 at the WSMR Frontier Club. COL Giebel, the White Sands Missile Range Garrison Commander, sponsored the event to thank AUSA and other local companies and organizations for their support of the for the Bataan Death March. AUSA officers and members were the largest group present and received a free lunch and “thank you” gifts from the garrison.