Air Force honors Eldorado graduate as leader, scholar

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002 | 8:32 a.m.

Air Force Senior Airman TaShara McGee, Eldorado High School class of 1995, received the John T. Levitow Award upon graduation from the Air Force Airman Leadership School.

The leadership school at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., focuses on preparing senior airmen to be supervisors and managers.

McGee, the daughter of Vicki Moor and granddaughter of Callie Wilson, both of Las Vegas, received the award for demonstrating the highest degree of excellence as a class leader and as a scholar. The award is named for an enlisted Air Force member who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

McGee is a ground systems operator assigned to the 2nd Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., where she operates an intricate, $3 billion satellite ground station as a member of the only multinational squadron in Air Force Space Command.

She also assists in the detection of ballistic missile and space launches, nuclear detonations and infrared data, relaying data to the United States Space Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Department of Defense.

Commenting on her award, McGee's commander, Col. Robert Gibson, said, "As far as the quality of airmen goes, she is my number one and can always be counted upon to make things happen. When there is a need, and you must have success, you always hope to be able to turn to airmen like Tashara."

In Brief

During the six weeks of training, the new airmen studied the Air Force mission, organization, and customs; performed drill and ceremony and received physical training and special training in human relations earning credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.