Incirlik Chapel wins USAFE’s Medium Chapel Organization Award

Published Feb. 18, 2015
By Senior Airman Michael Battles
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Spiritual fitness is a core part of Airmen being able to accomplish the missions here at Incirlik Air Base. One Incirlik team's dedication to promoting spiritual resiliency is the reason the office captured a U.S. Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa-level award.

On Feb. 4, USAFE announced that the 39th Air Base Wing Chapel was the recipient of the 2014 USAFE-AFFRICA Medium Chapel of the Year Award.

"This was a total team effort," said Lt. Col. Paul Castillo, 39th ABW wing chaplain. "The award was for recognition of the Chapel Team's sustained and superior performance."

According to Castillo, the Incirlik Chapel won this award based on the specific accomplishments of the chapel in three categories: focus on warrior care, advisement to leadership, and care for the Chaplain Corps Caregivers.

"The chapel won this award because each and every member of our team works together giving 110 percent of themselves to whatever the task is," said Capt. Brent Mulder, 39th ABW chaplain. "We do what we do to help Airman. It's not about us; it's about helping other people."

Castillo also explained that due to a change in Air Force instruction, the Incirlik Chapel moved from its usual small chapel category to compete against Aviano and Mildenhall air base chapels in the medium category this year.

The change was due to the number of Chaplain Corps personnel, both military and civilians that are not only assigned to the 39th ABW, but also its two geographically separated units in Ankara and Izmir.

Castillo and Mulder both also said that along with the hard work of the 39th ABW and its GSUs, the reason for the award is in big part due to the dedication of the chapel's staff, volunteers and contractors.

"My gratitude to the committed volunteers of the chapel," Castillo said. "We could not support or sustain our programs without our dedicated and selfless volunteers."

According to Castillo, this award is a symbol of the outstanding Incirlik and chapel communities.

"There are many remarkable things going on in our chapel communities," Castillo said. "But this is a victory for the entire wing and our GSU partners. [The chapel] is grateful for the opportunity to serve our communities here in Turkey."

Over the next few weeks the Incirlik Chapel will move on to the Air Force-level competition to compete for the title of best medium chapel in the Air Force.