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Guard member honored as Senior Enlisted Reservist of the Year

  • Published
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Armed Services Committee of Greater Spokane Incorporated held its 53rd Armed Forces Persons of the Year Luncheon on April 14, 2009. A soldier, a sailor, an airman and a Marine were named armed forces persons of the year by the local business group. Senior Master Sgt. Stephan Coulston, member of the Security Forces Squadron of the Washington Air National Guard's 141st Air Refueling Wing, was the winner for the Senior Enlisted Reservist category. 

"Senior Master Sgt. Coulston is a consummate professional that never fails to achieve excellence in all that he does. He has performed admirably as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer within the Security Forces Squadron. I have been nothing but impressed with his work ethic and dedication to the Air National Guard and this great nation," said Lt. Col. David Knight, 141 ARW Security Forces Commander. 

Coulston is directly responsible for all Combat Arms Training, Mobility, and Supply Issues. He is the only full time military employee for Security Forces and is the Point of Contact for all Security Forces issues during the week. As the wing's Combat Arms Training Manager; he plans, organizes, coordinates, and controls all facets of weapons training for the squadrons. Additionally, he oversees all scheduling of ammunition procurement for the wing. 

He has ensured that 141 ARW maintains an average of 95% weapons qualification at all times. He continues to directly impact the wing's total mission effectiveness by ensuring that all no-notice deplorers are qualified on their specific weapons and meet area of responsibility requirements. 

Coulston is the wing POC for all Force Protection issues and he represents the wing at base Installation Security Council meetings while providing anti-terrorism/force protection ancillary instruction and deployment information to all squadrons within the wing. 

He has worked with wing finance to obtain funding to replace outdated body armor and successfully secured $30,000.00 in wing funds to purchase new concealment bullet proof vests to replace current outdated vests. 

Coulston is responsible for balancing and executing the unit's funding. He was directly responsible for the procurement of over $450,000.00 in unfunded money to purchase needed LOGDET items that were impacting the units SORTS reports. 

He has also conducted two of his no less than 15 Detainee Operations missions transporting dangerous Taliban and Al-Qaeda detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to various locations around the world in support of Operation Fundamental Justice. 

Another noted accomplishment was securing $256,000.00 in O&M funds to purchase needed equipment and install a modern weapons rack system to store 141 SFS, 92 SFS, and 141 Honor Guard weapons. 

He also coordinated with the 92 SFS to assist the 141 SFS in putting on an Expeditionary Combat Skills Training class for the 141 ARW while Providing a Security Team for the 2008 Mission Support Group Conference in Spokane. 

Security Forces National Guard Bureau (NGB) requested Coulston to assist with the 2009 National ANG Security Forces Conference and is currently the coordinator for the vendor show for the 2009 and 2010 conference. 

Senior Master Sgt. Coulston has an impeccable record with a myriad of extraordinary accomplishments. His bearing and behavior are exemplary. He is committed to personal and professional excellence. His communicative skills are outstanding. He relates well to all ranks, with a top-notch understanding of protocol and related requirements," said Lt. Col. Knight.