News>Airman presented International Affairs Excellence Award
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Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presents Maj. Paul Sebold with the Air Force International Affairs Excellence Award for 2010 during a ceremony May 31, 2011, in the Pentagon. Established in 2008, the annual award recognizes the Air Force member who is judged to most effectively build, sustain, expand and guide enduring international relationships. Major Sebold is assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as a political military affairs strategist and country desk officer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley (seated second from left) looks on as Maj. Paul Sebold gives remarks after receiving the Air Force International Affairs Excellence Award for 2010 during a ceremony May 31, 2011, in the Pentagon. Established in 2008, the annual award recognizes the Air Force member who is judged to most effectively build, sustain, expand and guide enduring international relationships. Major Sebold is assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as a political
military affairs strategist and country desk officer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
by Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
6/1/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials presented a major with the International Affairs Excellence Award for 2010 here May 31 after deeming him most effective in building, sustaining, expanding and guiding international relationships for the service.
Air Force Secretary Michael Donley presented the award to Maj. Paul Sebold, a political military affairs strategist and country desk officer who championed building partnership goals in 35 military engagements and building air capabilities for 16 nations while based in U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
"Paul is part of a skilled workforce that recognizes the importance of the cultural differences between the U.S., its partners and their neighbors abroad and recognizes the subtleties that go with international affairs," Secretary Donley said. "There is no doubt in my mind why he would be identified as one of our star players."
According to the award citation, Major Sebold's analytical expertise led to improved cooperation and interoperability with partner air forces in the European Command area of responsibility.
Secretary Donley described Major Sebold, a linguist, as the "go-to regional-affairs strategist" for countries such as Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.
He added that the major is a critical liaison for numerous agencies, the State Department and combatant commanders.
"USAFE is really the place to be right now because you have a unique opportunity with forward deployed forces and we work with the host nations, partner nations, and non-NATO partner nations every day," Major Sebold said. "My job as a country desk officer and a (regional affairs strategist) is to facilitate for the U.S. Air Force experts: the maintainers, the pilots that USAFE has on the ground to work with our partner nations. They're really the folks who get the job done."
Major Sebold is also a recent graduate of the George and Carol Olmstead Foundation, which sponsors active-duty military officers in a two-year program for graduate studies, overseas at foreign universities. Prior to graduate studies, the officer will have up to one year of intensive, foreign language training.
Ceremony attendees included Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy.
Comments
6/2/2011 1:29:09 PM ET Yes, congratulations. However, please check your ribbon rack, major. You look bad in front of the SECAF.
John, GA
6/2/2011 8:55:02 AM ET Well deserved, Paul.
Roy Lozano, Ramstein
6/1/2011 11:52:32 PM ET Congratulations, Major Sebold, on your achievement. FYI: You're only authorized to wear either the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with the gold border or without the gold border. You cannot wear both per "Awards and Decorations." Good news is you are authorized to wear an oak leaf cluster with your AFESR with Gold Border since that is your second time that you were awarded it.
TSgt A, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
6/1/2011 12:49:17 PM ET Great choice Air Force Congratulations Paul
