Hector Madrid, Chief Great Basin Smokejumpers, announced that Chris Swisher (FBX-03), Ben Oakleaf (NIFC-05) and Josh Mathiesen (RDD-94) are the 2012 Al Dunton Leadership Award winners for 2012. The annual award is given to smokejumpers who go beyond the requirements of the job and demonstrate excellence in leadership.
Swisher and Oakleaf were honored for their efforts in combining the Alaska and Boise rookie training programs. Mathiesen was selected for his work in setting up an important spike base at Porterville, CA, and assisting the Cleveland N.F. during the 2012 fire season.