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NEWS | Nov. 3, 2023

AMCOM safety engineer recognized as 2023 Redstone Women Rock Stellar Intern Award winner

By Richelle Brown

Army Aviation and Missile Command safety engineer Kiran Henson was recognized as the North Alabama Chapter of Federally Employed Women’s 2023 Redstone Women Rock Stellar Intern Award winner. 

The North Alabama Chapter of FEW annually recognizes women servicing Redstone Arsenal at a variety of professional levels. The Redstone Women Rock Stellar Intern Award celebrates the remarkable achievements of civilian women serving at Redstone Arsenal with approximately one to three years in their career who have demonstrated outstanding organizational contributions, initiative and leadership abilities during their early career development.

“The award was quite a surprise and an honor," Henson said. “I have genuinely the best team of people and the best supervisor and leadership that I could have ever asked for. They make the job easier; they make it happen!” 

Henson, a safety engineer in the Aviation Systems Safety Division, ensures the safety and reliability of aviation systems and equipment used by the Army. Her division evaluates safety risks, reviews design changes and modifications, develops safety protocols and procedures and collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards for the warfighter.  

According to the citation, Henson’s exceptional efforts have positively impacted multiple working groups and efforts analyzing the system safety of complex rotorcraft design changes or modifications of the U.S. Army fleet. 

In addition, she received an AMCOM MVP award for January 2022. Henson was recognized for her outstanding contributions enabling the safety and material readiness of Army aviation platforms and documentation of the appropriate safety requirements for materiel release during a challenging telework environment.
Brandon Daugherty, chief of the Aviation Systems Safety Division, nominated Henson for the award. 

“From day one, Kiran has consistently displayed the necessary technical acumen to succeed, not only as a safety engineer but as a highly valuable Army professional within the acquisition workforce,” Daugherty said.

“She has the keen ability to quickly and efficiently identify potential safety issues and risks, then effectively articulate the significance of the impact of these safety issues and risks on the mission to senior leadership.”

“The 2023 Redstone Women Rock Stellar Intern Award is a true testament to Henson's professionalism, determination and unwavering commitment to enhancing the safety measures of Army aircraft.”

Henson began her career with the federal government in 2021 as a Becoming Everything You Are Conference Direct Hire for the AMCOM Safety Division after graduating from Auburn University with a materials engineering degree.

“I feel like I'm directly impacting the Soldiers that we serve on a daily basis, trying to keep them safe and ensure that they're getting the equipment that they need in order to keep themselves safe, and therefore keep the country safe,” Henson said.

She offers this advice to remind people of the immense impact they can have when they embrace new opportunities wholeheartedly: “Apply yourself to any opportunity. You never really know what could happen or who you can impact until you try."

The FEW is a national non-profit organization that advocates for equality and advancement of women in the federal government workforce. The North Alabama Chapter of FEW is open to all federal and contractor employees, including men. For more information, contact Tiffany Hutchinson at tndhutchinson@gmail.com or visit www.few.org.