Wingman Award to be presented to Top of Utah civic leaders

  • Published
  • By Richard W. Essary
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Two of Top of Utah's community members are being recognized for their substantial support to Team Hill. Bob Ekstrom and Kevin Ireland of Ogden will be presented with Hill's prestigious Wingman Award this month, an honor presented annually to members of the community whose actions over the years have gone above and beyond in support of the installation.

"It's a tremendous privilege to work with these community Wingmen who have given countless hours in direct support of Hill Air Force Base," said Col. Kathryn Kolbe, 75th Air Base Wing commander. "These awards are well deserved and a just a small token of our appreciation for their strong commitment to Team Hill and our nation's Airmen."

Having served on the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee (TOUMAC) for 16 years, seven of those years as chair; Ekstrom has tirelessly worked to foster and enhance the working relationship between the TOUMAC and Hill AFB. "Bob has raised funds in support of numerous quality of life programs for Hill's Airmen, including everything from picnics to enhancing programs for Hill's junior Airmen," Kolbe said. "He currently serves as an active member of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Community Liaison Program (CLP), a civic outreach initiative designed to enhance public awareness of, trust in, and support for AFMC and the U.S. Air Force. He is a true ambassador for Hill."

This same dedication can be said for Ireland. "Kevin has had a close and personal relationship with Hill, serving and supporting the base in many capacities since the early 1990s," Kolbe said. "In addition to his active involvement on the military affairs committee across a number of activities, Kevin has been a tremendous advocate and a driving force behind Hill's efforts to continue offering an open house and air show over the years. He has also recently been a leader in our P4 (public-public and public-private) partnership efforts."

Col. Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, World War II pilot with 28 aerial kills, is often quoted about the function of a Wingman.

"The Wingman is absolutely indispensable. I look after the wingman, the Wingman looks after me. It's another set of eyes protecting you. That's the defensive part. Offensively, it gives you a lot more firepower. We work together. We fight together. The Wingman knows what his responsibilities are knows what mine are. Wars are not won by individuals. They're won by teams," Gabreski was quoted.

The Wingman Award recipients will be honored with a medal and personalized portrait Sept. 20. The portraits will be permanently displayed in the Hill Aerospace Museum.