Covenant News

Air Force Names Covenant Pastor Chaplain of the Year

IZMIR, TURKEY (October 3, 2001) - Kevin Lockett, an Evangelical Covenant pastor serving as a chaplain in the United States Air Force (USAF), has been named Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Company Grade Officer (CGO) Chaplain of the Year for 2000-2001.

The award was created to recognize outstanding efforts and innovative ideas in restoring hope and bringing faith while ministering to Air Force members. Each year two AFSPC chaplains will be selected to receive the CGO (Lieutenants and Captains) and Field Grade (Majors and Colonels) awards.

Lockett recently completed a three-year tour at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Warren base is the home of the "Mighty Ninety," the 90th Space Wing. He served as pastor for three Protestant worship services, director of youth ministries and director of the Protestant religious education program. In addition, his duties included driving 300-500 miles each week to visit troops in the missile field and counseling troops on issues such as marriage and relationships, morale, job related concerns and questions of faith and morality.

Named CGO of the quarter for Wing Staff Agencies for July-September 2000 and CGO of the Year for Wing Staff Agencies for 2000, Lockett also received the Air Force Commendation Medal in recognition of his outstanding service at the Warren base.

Lockett served Illinois churches in Rockford, Glen Ellyn and Machesney Park, as well as Orlando, Florida, before entering the chaplain service as a reservist assigned to Patrick AFB, Florida. He entered active duty in 1998.

Lockett and his wife, Peggy, have four children: Nathaniel, Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth. He is serving a two-year tour of duty in Izmir, home to the 425th Air Base Squadron, which supports NATO Headquarters in Turkey as part of United States Air Force Europe.

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