CAFB’s McGinnis 3-time AF winner

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Master Sgt. Kevin McGinnis, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight superintendent at CAFB, has been awarded the 2018 Air Force Emergency Manager of the Year in the military category. It’s the third time that McGinnis has won the award. In 2014, he won with the AF Special Operations Command; and in 2017 with the Air Education and Training Command. “I was especially happy to win this award at Columbus,” McGinnis said. His team is responsible for the CAFB’s emergency planning for natural disasters; chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear attacks; certain aircraft mishaps; and other incidents. Also, the team is responsible for protecting personnel and their families, the millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and infrastructure. They also ensure base personnel are fully trained to minimize casualties and damage in the event of a disaster or attack. The final catalyst in his nomination package was a T-38C Talon mishap in May 2018. He and his team directed emergency personnel to rescue the pilots, find their ejection seats and help contain the incident. “We had a really ‘good’ year,” McGinnis said. “When your job involves disasters, it’s never really good to have a busy year, but it’s good for the experience.” (Source: CAFB 02/28/19)