News>Air Force recognizes 2012 Outstanding Airmen of the Year
Photos
Senior Airman Bryenna Brooks is congratulated by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet at the 2012 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Brooks is with the 2nd Medical Operation Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association chairman of the board, present a plaque to Staff Sgt. Angelo Banks during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Banks is with the 81st Security Forces Squadron from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association chairman of the board, present a plaque to Master Sgt. Alan Braden during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Braden is with the 88th Force Support Squadron from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Staff Sgt. Cory Branham during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Branham is with the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Airman Bryenna Brooks during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Brooks is with the 2nd Medical Operations Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association chairman of the board, present a plaque to Sara Bruner, who accepted the award on behalf of her husband Master Sgt. Brandon Bruner, during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Master Sgt. Laura Callaway during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Callaway is with the 60th Medical Operations Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Master Sgt. Emilio Hernandez during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Hernandez is with the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Airman Nicholas Hurt during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Hurt is with the 721st Security Forces Squadron from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Master Sgt. Sandra Plentzas during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Plentzas is with the 944th Fighter Wing from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Tech. Sgt. Matthew Stark during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Stark is with the 354th Fighter Wing from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy speaks during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner as part of the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard provides escort support of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during the 2012 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)
The Air Force Band's Master Sgt. Shanie Pruitt performs during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner as part of the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy speaks during a banquet for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the 2012 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. Roy represents the highest enlisted level of leadership and, as such, provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)
by Senior Airman Tabitha N. Haynes
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
9/19/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year attended a recognition reception and dinner hosted by the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17.
The Airmen were lauded for demonstrating "outstanding leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievement," Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy said. "Our Airmen exhibit these qualities every day. The Airmen we honor here tonight represent the 700,000 American Airmen doing our nation proud."
The honorees also earned the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with the bronze service star device and will serve on the Air Force Enlisted Council for one year. They will tour Washington and the White House during their stay this week.
Besides Roy, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III were in attendance to support the 12 distinguished Airmen. The Airmen were also welcomed by more than 70 U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsmen on stage.
"Our history is rooted in innovation," Roy said. "We expect Airmen to be the innovators, and they always come through for us."
Staff Sgt. Angelo Banks, 81st Security Forces Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., led eight Airmen as leader of a quick response fire team while deployed to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, and trained members of the Kyrgyzstan military.
Master Sgt. Alan Braden, 88th Force Support Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, drafted a career assistance advisor and First Term Airmen Center inspection program, which has been adopted by the functional manager for use across the Air Force Material Command.
Staff Sgt. Cory Branham, 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, had his function check and self inspection reports designated as "best practice" after he coordinated with 25 units to manage 158 performance reports to timely completion.
Senior Airman Bryenna Brooks, 2nd Medical Operations Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., provided direct medical support at the 101st troop medical clinic, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, as an independent convoy medic.
Master Sgt. Brandon Bruner, 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., is currently serving his fifth deployment in Afghanistan. He is a seasoned convoy commander, who has lead 11 combat missions, trained 32 joint team members, certified six convoy positions and qualified 312 Airmen with the M-4 rifle.
Senior Airman Matthew Butler, 15th Operational Weather Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., beat forecasting accuracy standard by 22 percent to secure $13 billion in assets at 33 sites.
Senior Master Sgt. Laura Callaway, 60th Medical Operations Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., led the Air Force's largest physical medicine and emergency departments and forged a clinical practicum with the University of California Davis.
Senior Master Sgt. Emilio Hernandez, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom, led 52 people in 53 civil engineering projects at 163 forward operating bases in support of 85,000 warfighters.
Senior Airman Nicholas A. Hurt, 721st Security Forces Squadron, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., served on a quick-reaction team at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where he secured the base perimeter to protect 30,000 personnel and $3.8 billion in assets.
Master Sgt. Sandra L. Plentzas, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., leveraged the Head Chaplain total force initiative to integrate active duty and Air Reserve component chaplain training and scheduling, extending Luke Air Force Base's ministry to more than 2,000 Airmen.
Tech. Sgt. Matthew G. Stark, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, led the most decorated explosive ordnance disposal flight in Iraq. He oversaw 27 operations with zero casualties in support of Operation New Dawn.
Senior Master Sgt. Luke W. Thompson, 125th Special Tactics Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard, Ore., enabled two Combined Joint Special Operations Task Forces, bringing 85 battlefield Airmen to the fight. His organizational skills provided key joint terminal attack control support, delivering 142 lethal airstrikes to the enemy.
"These Airmen are not lucky -- they have earned every one of their awards," Roy said. "Like you, I stand in front of you and say, 'I am a very proud Airman.' I am proud of being the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, but more importantly, I am proud of being and American Airman."
For more information about AFA or the Outstanding Airmen of the Year program, visit http://www.afa.org.
Comments
9/21/2012 5:17:12 PM ET @Sgt Sword...funny and I would not call those who have been stepped losers, just beneficiaries of a bad and outdated program. I will also say that just because a Commander or Chief sent up a well written 1206 does not make that airman an instant step candidate. Just study and stay out of trouble. Too easy.
Me, Still Here
9/21/2012 10:34:53 AM ET Everyone knows that STEP is for losers who don't study.
Sgt Sword and Shield, Sentry and avenger post
9/20/2012 5:22:46 PM ET Outstanding Airmen all congratulations.
MSgt Charles Richardson, Texas Air Guard
9/20/2012 12:25:57 PM ET Congratulations everyone! I hope this inspires others to continue to do their best regardless of where they are in the world.
AirForceVet92, Pennsylvania
9/20/2012 9:27:23 AM ET Considering how the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are selected based upon being exceptional performers is there any reason they shouldn't receive STEP promotions as well? After all the acronym STEP does mean Stripes To Exceptional Performers.
Vito, Eglin
9/20/2012 9:23:22 AM ET Congratulations to all the winners
SSGT, DYESS TX
9/20/2012 8:43:59 AM ET Congratulations
SMSgt B, JBSA
9/19/2012 11:23:58 PM ET Congratulations you rock
sarah, shelley idaho
9/19/2012 3:59:06 PM ET Congratulations to all of this year's winners Outstanding job by all Can't help but wonder though where's the CMSAF's Mess Dress
SMSgt, AZ
9/19/2012 2:37:37 PM ET The name from WPAFB is Master Sgt. Alan Braden. It's correct in the photo caption and wrong in the story - Master Sgt. Alan Bladen.Suggest correcting.
