CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A photojournalist and a videographer from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron here have been recognized as the best in the Department of Defense.
Tech Sgt. Jeremy Lock was named Military Photographer of the Year and Tech. Sgt. Gary Burdett was named Military Videographer of the Year. They received these honors over hundreds of their peers from all branches of the U.S. military worldwide.
Sergeant Lock submitted photographs he took while he was deployed to Iraq this summer. He took various photos of soldiers, Marines, Iraqi police and the Iraqi Army performing missions.
"Photographers are pretty much the eyes and ears for everyone," said Sergeant Lock. "Not only are we documenting history, but we're sharing the stories with others."
This is the third time Sergeant Lock has received this award. He also received this award in 2002 and 2005.
"It's amazing to have this honor for the third time," said Sergeant Lock. "It makes me feel like I'm doing my job -- that I'm doing it well and exceeding the standards."
Sergeant Burdett submitted videos for the competition which he filmed while he was deployed to Iraq last summer. Some of his winning videos featured Iraqi soldiers in basic training and others participating in Operation Together Forward II, which was an operation to confiscate illegal weapons in Baghdad.
"I really enjoyed filming the Iraqi Army because I got to meet new recruits who had hope for their country," said Sergeant Burdett. "They are people just like anyone else who want the same things all people want -- food, shelter and security."
This is the fifth consecutive time an Airman from the 1 CTCS has been named the Military Photographer of the Year and the fourth consecutive time an Airman from the squadron has been named the Military Videographer of the Year.
Other members of 1 CTCS were recognized with several awards in other categories.
Photography awards:
Sergeant Lock took first and Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon took third in the combat documentary category. Sergeant Lock took first in the picture story category. Sergeant Lock took first and third in the news category. Staff Sgt. Eric Sheler took second and Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall took third in the portrait/personality category. Sergeant Pearsall took second in the illustrative category. Staff Sgt. Jacob Bailey took second in the pictorial category.
Videography awards:
Sergeant Burdett took second and third in the combat documentary category and third in the documentary category. Sergeant Burdett took first and Tech. Sgt. James Carney took third in the field production category. Sergeant Carney took third in the editing category.
To view all photos and videos that won awards in the competition, visit
http://events.dinfos.osd.mil/viap/.