New class graduates Tinker ALS Published Aug. 27, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker's Airman Leadership School had a full house during its latest session, graduating 51 Airman of Class 09-G August 13. One of the busiest schools in the Air Force, Tinker's ALS ran at full capacity with four flights of students. One of more than 80 ALS facilities around the country, Tinker's school graduates nearly 300 students per year. ALS is the first step to becoming a non-commissioned officer. Those earmarked for promotion to staff sergeant must successfully complete the course, which is also open to senior airmen with more than 48 months of service who may be in a supervisory role of other airmen. Successful completion of the course also provides graduates with nine hours of college credit for the Associate in Applied Science Degree through the Community College of the Air Force. The school prepares Airman to become leaders through academic study focusing on improving communications and interpersonal skills, developing an understanding of the Air Force and its organization, and instilling leadership skills. Each graduating class has a number of award winners who are selected by instructors for their academic achievements and leadership qualities. The ultimate award, however, is the John L. Levitow award. Given to the most distinguished graduate, it is based on both academic and personal performance and is the highest honor an ALS student can receive. The award is named for Medal of Honor winner Airman First Class Levitow, who saved his aircraft from certain destruction despite severe personal injuries during a mission in Vietnam. Airman Levitow is the lowest-ranking Airman to ever win the Medal of Honor and the ALS award is named in recognition of those Airman exhibiting the same qualities. For this graduating class, Senior Airman Jason Fowler of the 552nd Air Control Networks Squadron won the coveted John L. Levitow award. Four other Airmen from Class 09-G won the Distinguished Graduate Award. The winners are: Senior Airman Sven Bickham, 33rd Combat Communic-ations Squadron, Senior Airman Adam Watson, 552nd Training Squadron, Staff Sgt. Matthew Moss, 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron, and Senior Airman Michael Scheu, 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron. Airman Scheu also won the academic award while Senior Airman Timothy Smith won the Leadership Award. Senior Airman Shelley Heath, Freedom Essay Award winner The graduates include: 32nd Combat Communications Squadron Senior Airman William Blakeney 33rd Combat Communications Squadron Senior Airman Sven Bickman 34 Combat Communications Squadron Senior Airman Tamara Lewis Senior Airman Jason Taylor Senior Airman Michael Vandenbosch 72nd Security Forces Squadron Senior Airman Kevin Cuffie Senior Airman Rain'a Hampton Senior Airman Andrea Lofaso Senior Airman Rayford Mckinley Senior Airman Danny Skelton Senior Airman Tessica White 72nd Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Daniel Henderson 72nd Medical Support Squadron Senior Airman Jessie Lee Senior Airman Christopher Prentice 552nd Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Justin Barao Senior Airman Juan De La Rosa Senior Airman Shelley Heath Senior Airman Travis Hood Senior Airman Bryan Hunt Senior Airman Nathan Looney Senior Airman Eric Stuart Senior Airman Christopher Wells Senior Airman Brandon Zitterich 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Corey Bogan Senior Airman Mark Cimei Senior Airman Garrett Coulson Senior Airman Calvin Lee Senior Airman Glenn Wilson, Senior Airman Marcus Wilson Senior Airman Timoth Smith 552nd Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Bryson Lefebre Senior Airman Kimberly Leigh 552nd Air Control Networks Squadron Senior Airman Justin Coffman Senior Airman Jason Fowler 552nd Maintenance Operations Squadron Senior Airman Anthony Comez 552nd Training Squadron Senior Airman Adam Watson 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron Senior Airman Robert Clifton, Jr. Staff Sgt. Arturo Martinez Senior Airman Jennifer Mcclure Staff Sgt. Matthew Moss Staff Sgt. James Witt Staff Sgt. Nathan Williams 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron Staff Sgt. James Kinsley 965th Airborne Control Squadron Senior Airman David Freeman Staff Sergeant Travis Miller Senior Airman Saleem Salahuddin, Senior Airman Michael Scheu 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron Senior Airman Vegas McNeal Senior Airman Nicholas Trousset 349th Recruiting Squadron Senior Airman Curtis Ellcessor Staff Sgt. Jerry Pease