2nd Combat Camera wins best-in-DoD award second year in row

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Burks
  • 2nd Combat Camera Squadron
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 2nd Combat Camera Squadron recently won four of six categories in the 2012 Visual Information Production Awards, including the top award, "Production of the Year."

The results for the annual Department of Defense competition, announced April 11, marked the second year in a row the squadron has won the Production of the Year award and that it has won four of the DoD-level awards.

"It's nice to be recognized, especially among the superb competition in this category ... there were really some great productions up for these awards," said Lt. Col. T. Allen Herritage, 2nd CTCS commander. "I'm just proud, so proud, of this team. The men and women of the 2nd CTCS really take ownership of every single production we do and it shows."

The 2012 Visual Information Production Awards winners are:

Documentaries: 2nd Combat Camera Squadron, for an entry called "First There ... That Others May Live."

Training: Visual Information Directorate, Bethesda Attachment, Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, for an entry called

"Reproductive Health Awareness: Types of Contraception."

Internal/Public Information: 2nd Combat Camera Squadron, for an entry called "2d Combat Camera Squadron 'In Action.' "

Recruitment: 2nd Combat Camera Squadron, for their "Hispanic Recruiting Video" entry.

Public Service announcement: Visual Information Directorate, Bethesda Attachment, Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, for an entry called "Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS)."

Production of the Year: 2nd Combat Camera Squadron, for an entry called "2d Combat Camera Squadron 'In Action.' "

Jim Sorensen, the 2nd CTCS director of operations, echoed the colonel's sentiments, saying, "I'm very happy for our people; for the hard work of both our military and civilians. Video production takes long hours, odd hours, and for our people to be rewarded like that is gratifying. We're certainly carrying on with the tradition of good video production that we've had throughout the years."

Productions have taken place here since 1967, he said.

"When I came on board in 1986, there was a tradition of doing quality videos already," Sorensen said. "We've only been a combat camera squadron since 2009, and we've done our best to keep that tradition going. We have been under various organizations and (major commands) all those years and we've always had a compliment of excellent civilian and military members to carry on that tradition."

Each production requires time, effort and focus from the squadron's Airman and civilians, he added.

Sorensen continued, "On many productions we go (temporary duty), but the costs incurred are generally just travel costs because all of our capabilities are in house. We prioritize the production based on the customer and our workload. We do productions for virtually every MAJCOM all the way up to the chief of staff of the Air Force."

While the awards recognize the squadron's top-notch productions of 2012, Herritage said the squadron remains focused on the future.

"You can become your own biggest fan if not careful," he said. "We know we can't rest on our laurels and expect to turn out the same quality products every year. Winning two years in a row speaks to our team's understanding that we must continuously innovate and improve."