Airman receives Excellence Award Published June 11, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Brigette Waltermire 137th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. -- A member of the 137th Air Refueling Wing received an award for reporting a security issue June 3, 2015. Staff Sgt. Joseph Younger, a member of the 137th Logistics Readiness Squadron, recently reported a personal information oversight in a wing resource and consequently received the Excellence Award from the Inspector General's office. The 137th Air Refueling Wing IG office has established the award to thank Airmen who bring issues that are non-compliant with security to light. Lt. Col. Tracey Hale, with the IG office, said it is helpful when someone brings up an error that may have gone unnoticed and that the Wing wants to reward people for stepping up. "I know I'm very proud of him and leadership is very proud of him," said Master Sgt. Joshua Morris, one of Younger's supervisors in the 137 LRS. "He's a dedicated Airman who likes to lead by example." When Younger noticed the error, he alerted the Information Protection Office, which is proper protocol in such a situation, said Lt. Col. LeeAnn Tumblson, with the 137 LRS. He stayed after the duty day to ensure all security errors were corrected. This demonstrated integrity and upheld many standards under the 137 ARW pillars, enacted by Col. Devin R. Wooden, commander of the 137 ARW. Hale said that Younger's initiative meets several of the commander's pillars: investments, by making sure things are done right; readiness, by making sure everyone is capable of completing the mission; and teamwork, by showing team members where improvements were needed. "We don't want people to be afraid to bring things to our attention," said Hale. "We think it's outstanding - what he did." As the 137th Air Refueling Wing transitions into its AFSOC mission, OPSEC will play a more vital role in daily operations.