It's officially legal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Officials at 2nd Air Force Headquarters recently announced the results of the 2007 Judge Advocate General Awards and a senior NCO from Goodfellow Air Force Base was chosen as one of the best in the major command. Master Sgt. Christopher Hernandez, 17th Training Wing legal office superintendent, was named the recipient of the Karen Yates-Popwell Award.

The annual award is named after retired Chief Master Sgt. Karen Yates-Popwell, who formerly held the position of senior paralegal manager to The Judge Advocate General.

The winner is the active duty senior noncommissioned officer selected as the most outstanding paralegal senior NCO of the year, based upon demonstrated excellence, superior initiative, leadership, management skills and professionalism.

Eligible candidates are paralegals who are serving in the grade of senior master sergeant or master sergeant as of Dec. 31 of the year for which the award is given.

The recent award was no surprise to the wing's legal office staff, including Lt. Col Stoup, 17th training Wing Staff Judge Advocate.

"Master Sgt. Hernandez is the most well-rounded senior NCO I've known," said Lt. Col. Stoup about the 21-year Air Force veteran from San Antonio, Texas.

"His involvement and leadership throughout the wing brings significant credibility to the legal office and the wing staff as a whole. He instills confidence that his staff will get things done and get them done right, Lt. Col. Stoup added.

During 2007, Master Sgt. Hernandez did several things that helped him earn his recent award.

Among those, Master Sgt. Hernandez was noted for his leadership and legal expertise during his recent deployment to Balad Air Base in northern Iraq, where he was the first ever paralegal at Balad's Mayor's Cell.

While at Balad, Master Sgt. Hernandez was responsible for garrison legal support of approximately 40,000 joint-servicemembers and contractors, and his participation in six inspections to validate humane conditions in Iraqi internment facility helped ensure Geneva Convention compliance.

Actions such as those previously mentioned helped Master Sgt. Hernandez earn special recognition by the U.S. Army in the form of an Army Commendation Medal, which was presented to him March 26.

In addition to being recognized for his job performance, Master Sgt. Hernandez was also recognized in part for his work in the community. In 2007 Master Sgt. Hernandez earned state-wide recognition with a Keep Texas Beautiful award.

His networking skills with local community leaders, selfless dedication and leadership helped 128 volunteers rack up 800 hours of volunteer work, which beat out 15 Texas government agencies.

"What's the really important thing about all the volunteer work we did is that 75 senior and disabled residents were helped," said Master Sgt. Hernandez.

The senior NCO paralegal continued to show his humble and modest demeanor that has afforded him his recent honors.

When he was asked how he felt after finding out about his recent award, Master Sgt. Hernandez replied with the following.

"I was very excited and proud; especially for my office, because it is their success that makes my success."

"Without the amazing folks who work with me in the legal office I would not have won this award...I owe everything to them," concluded Master Sgt. Hernandez.