2010

Outstanding Airmen of the Year

AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition
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The Air Force Association wishes to express its gratitude for the financial support provided by

For supporting the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Reception in the Exhibit Hall

and

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

For supporting the Outstanding Airmen of the Year by sponsoring their activities, providing each of them with AFA Lifetime Memberships and printing this program

2010

Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Senior Master Sergeant Steven Higgins Master Sergeant Sarah A. Sparks Master Sergeant James P. Mogren Technical Sergeant Stephen R. Hunter, Jr. Technical Sergeant Anthony G. Graham Staff Sergeant Kenneth I. Walker, III Staff Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, Jr. Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Aton Staff Sergeant Zully M. Birkbeck Senior Airman Cheryl A. Moore Senior Airman Ryan D. Pfeifer Airman First Class Samuel A. Siewert

Program
OUTSTANDING AIRMEN OF THE YEAR RECEPTION

in the Exhibit Hall

* * * *

NATIONAL ANTHEM INVOCATION

Chaplain Major General Cecil R. Richardson Air Force Chief of Chaplains

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

CMSAF James A. Roy Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Joseph E. Sutter AFA Chairman of the Board

AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Mark DeYoung President and CEO of ATK

ADDRESS

General Carrol H. Howie Chandler Vice Chief of Staff, USAF

MUSICAL PRESENTATION

United States Air Force Band

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Menu

Menu
Baby Spinach with Julienne Pears and Apples, Spiced Cashews, St. Pete Blue Cheese Sherry Wine Vinaigrette Bread Display Grilled New York Strip with a Merlot and Mushroom Glaze Maryland Crab Cake with Remoulade Mushroom Risotto Caramelized Dill Carrots and a Bundle of Asparagus Pistachio Torte, Dark Chocolate Ganache with Cocoa Crumbles

The Awards Inception

Every year since its 1946 founding, the Air Force Association had been pleading with Congress to provide adequate pay and allowances for all members of the Armed Forces. In 1956, AFAs convention symposium was on the subject of military manpower, and AFA and Air Force representatives agreed to highlight the topic by having on hand an outstanding enlisted person representing each major Air Force command and operating agency. All major air commands and operating agencies recommended their most outstanding airmen and the first group of 19 Outstanding Airmen were honored at AFAs convention. Though it was initially meant to be a one-time event, the response to the Outstanding Airmen was so positive that AFA and Air Force leaders decided the program should be continued and the United States Air Forces Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award was created. It has remained one of the most popular and successful AFA national events over the past 54 years. From 1956 through 2009, there have been 751 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. In 1970, the program changed dramatically by limiting the number of airmen selected each year to a total of twelve, known as the The Golden Dozen. Two became Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force (CMSAF James M. McCoy and CMSAF Donald L. Harlow). James McCoy also served as AFAs National President and then Chairman of the Board. As one would expect, many of the Outstanding Airmen were highly decorated. Two were recipients of the nations second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross: A2C Duane D. Hackney (1968) and TSgt. Timothy A. Wilkinson (1994). MSgt. Scott Fales (1993) and TSgt. Bradley T. Reilly (2006) received the Silver Star.

Selection Criteria
This years Twelve Outstanding Airmen represent more than 264,000 enlisted members of the Air Force active, Guard and Reserve forces. They were chosen from nominations made by all Air Force commands, separate operating agencies, direct reporting units, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. The selection board is made up of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer and selected Major Command command chiefs. The Air Force Chief of Staff reviews the selections. These are the criteria for this honor: unique, unusual or outstanding individual involvement and achievement within the preceding twelve months. Selection considerations included leadership and job performance in primary duty, significant self-improvement and base or community involvement. The Twelve Outstanding Airmen are awarded the Outstanding Airman ribbon with the Bronze Star device and wear the Outstanding Airman badge for one year. They also serve on the Air Force Enlisted Council for one year. AFA congratulates this years distinguished recipients! 4

Michael B. Donley

Secretary of the United States Air Force

Congratulations on your selection as one of the Air Forces Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2010! This is a tribute not only to your professionalism, but to your leadership and devotion to service. Our Air Force has a rich history and a proud heritage of operations ranging from peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance to sustained combat and nuclear deterrence. And todays Airmen are adding to this history daily, operating in Air, Space, and Cyberspace from locations around the globe as part of our Nations joint team. Tonight we honor you and your continuing commitment to integrity, service, and excellence. As one of the Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year, you represent the very best of our Air Force and of our 415,000 Total Force enlisted Airmen. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement and thank you for playing such a significant role in making us the worlds finest Air Force.

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz

Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

Congratulations on your selection as one of the Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year. This honor serves as both a reflection of your extraordinary accomplishments to this point, and our confidence that you will continue to serve faithfully and with distinction, always exemplifying the finest qualities of Integrity, Service, and Excellence. As your contributions clearly demonstrate, Americas Airmen serving in overseas contingency and deployed in place operations not only are answering our Nations call; they are making military history. Today, Americas enlisted service members increasingly must exercise exceptional judgment in very difficult, highly nuanced situations; and, they are shouldering more responsibility in commendable fashion, achieving greater results than virtually any enlisted force before. You can all be proud of your daily efforts that play a significant role in this unparalleled evolution of the enlisted corps. Tonight, we recognize your outstanding achievements, and inaugurate your year of service on the Air Force Enlisted Council. You have our enthusiastic support as you make the most of this unique opportunity to find ways to improve our Service, enhance our contributions to the Joint and Coalition team, and ultimately, secure our shared liberty and its many blessings.

James A. Roy

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

Congratulations! Being selected as one of our Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year is a tremendous honor. I join Airmen around the world in saluting you for a job extremely well done. I am proud of the combat power our Air Force enlisted Airmen bring the Joint team, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks each yearbut your exceptional service stands out as an example for all Airmen to follow. Your superb performance has done a great deal to assure the success of our mission and to uphold the image of our enlisted Airmen as standard-bearers of military professionalism around the world. As we celebrate this momentous milestone in your Air Force career, I look forward to partnering with you during your term as members of the Air Force Enlisted Council. As the voice of your fellow Airmen on this important deliberative body, you will tackle issues affecting our enlisted force and shape decisions that will affect the strategic path of our Air Force. So tonight, enjoy the recognition you so richly deserve, and take a moment to reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead. I wish you and your family great success in the coming year and throughout your Air Force career.

Robert Gutierrez, Jr.

Staff Sergeant

Duty Title: Combat Control Craftsman Organization: 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina Home of Record: Chula Vista, California

Staff Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, Jr., directed and controlled more than 40 close air strikes and strafing runs while under intense enemy fire against a well-trained insurgent force estimated to be 200 strong. He controlled airstrikes and medical evacuations that eventually led to the successful extraction of all team members and casualties. Sergeant Gutierrez served 90 days in western Afghanistan before he was wounded in a battle by Taliban forces. After being wounded in the chest by enemy forces, Sergeant Gutierrez shot and killed the enemy and directed close air support strikes within 30 meters of his location. He is recovering from his wounds and serves as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller instructor.

Joseph R. Aton

Staff Sergeant

Duty Title: Joint Terminal Attack Controller Organization: 11th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Hood, Texas Home of Record: Roseville, California

Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Aton deployed for 180 days to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan where he directed 27,000 pounds of weapons assistance for 60 troops in contact killing 42 enemy forces. He determined the origin of enemy fire which enabled precise close air support strikes killing 16 additional enemy forces. Sergeant Aton simultaneously controlled B-1 and MQ-1 systems which tracked eight improvised explosive device placers resulting in all insurgents being neutralized. He prepared a response team and controlled an AC-130 during a successful rescue of an isolated soldier.

Zully M. Birkbeck

Staff Sergeant

Duty Title: Financial Management Journeyman Organization: 56th Comptroller Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona Home of Record: Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico

Staff Sergeant Zully M. Birkbeck is instrumental to the bases $134 million operations and maintenance budget program execution. She deployed to the Central Command theater of operations where she oversaw $26 million in funding and overseas contingency operations guidance. She certified 117 documents worth $19 million without any errors. Sergeant Birkbeck trained her flight on unsettled orders and cut the list by 95 percent in 3 months. The strategy was adopted across the command. She was the Airman Leadership John L. Levitow Award winner and the Air Education and Training Command Financial Management Airman of the Year.

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Cheryl A. Moore

Senior Airman

Duty Title: Multi-Source Analyst Organization: 8th Intelligence Squadron (Distributed Ground System-S), Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii Home of Record: Portland, Oregon

Senior Airman Cheryl A. Moore is one of only two trainers for the Multi-Source Analyst position that have earned the Instructor Rated Officer certification. While deployed, she analyzed Predator video enabling compound Hellfire strikes. She warned combat units of imminent threats and protected forces against snipers, improvised explosive devices and ambushes. Sergeant Moore worked outside her specialty and excelled in combat with minimal training or supervision. She led intelligence fusion for 120 remotely piloted aircraft missions with 1,300 hours on targets, giving critical situational awareness for 240 combat operations.

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Kenneth I. Walker, III

Staff Sergeant

Duty Title: Tactical Air Control Party Journeyman Organization: 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Murray, Washington Home of Record: El Paso, Texas

Staff Sergeant Kenneth I. Walker, III, saved American lives when he directed close air support of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, during his fifth deployment with the Air National Guard. He led close air support missions for nine operations and spent more than 135 hours on combat patrols. Sergeant Walker controlled more than 1,600 rounds of ordnance during 88 troops in contact situations. When his vehicle was struck by a rocket propelled grenade, he dismounted and returned small arms fire while the attack continued. He led close air support missions for a sustained 40 hours in combat conditions under direct fire.

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Stephen R. Hunter, Jr.

Technical Sergeant

Duty Title: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Craftsman Organization: 944th Civil Engineer Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona Home of Record: St. Petersburg, Florida

Technical Sergeant Stephen R. Hunter, Jr., completed 107 combat missions, destroyed 29 improvised explosive devices and cleared 3,000 kilometers of critical supply routes while on his second 6 month short-notice mobilization to Balad Air Base, Iraq. He trained seven regular Air Force counterparts and certified explosive ordnance disposal technicians on vital range tasks and critical war skills. Sergeant Hunter swept over 70,000 acres of Goldwater Range where he disposed of more than 4,000 unexploded ordnances and recycled 548 tons of scrap metal. He also developed an inventory system which achieved 100% accountability and doubled user productivity.

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James P. Mogren

Master Sergeant

Duty Title: Security Forces Craftsman Organization: 72nd Security Forces Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma Home of Record: Wheatridge, Colorado

Master Sergeant James P. Mogren provided command and control, maintained security and aided the injured after an explosive device hit during a deployment to a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. He provided aid to five children during the explosion and saved three lives. Sergeant Mogren led security operations for 95 convoys which enabled quality assessments on 27 projects valued at $3.2 million. As the teams civil affairs leader, he conducted 60 critical meetings with Afghan government officials which built trust and solidified the team, affecting 350,000 lives. Sergeant Mogren supervised 13 humanitarian assistance events which delivered 20,000 tons of aid to 3,600 Afghan families.

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Steven Higgins

Senior Master Sergeant

Duty Title: Wing Inspections, Readiness and Exercises Superintendent Organization: 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England Home of Record: San Francisco, California

Senior Master Sergeant Steven Higgins deployed to Iraq as a Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Instructor. There, he served as the electronic warfare senior enlisted leader with the Army and led 52 field site electronic warfare technicians. Sergeant Higgins ousted fear and restored confidence in 105 Soldiers following a convoy attack. He executed more than 300 system pre-combat checks where he identified and replaced 50 faulty systems protecting 200 vehicles and 700 people. Sergeant Higgins oversaw more than 300 maintenance actions and 131 threat updates.

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Anthony G. Graham

Technical Sergeant

Duty Title: Flight Production Expeditor Organization: 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska Home of Record: Tellico Planes, Tennessee

Technical Sergeant Anthony G. Graham led maintenance on the Air Forces oldest F-16 fleet where he oversaw 4,056 scheduled maintenance actions and 230 repairs which kept the $463 million fleet healthy. He guided 38 maintainers who generated 2,892 sorties and 5,026 flight hours. Sergeant Graham supervised 55 Airmen and 15 aircraft for exercise Red Flag which produced 247 sorties and verified more than 20 pilots combat skills. He created cannibalization procedures and targeted 56 tasks and 12 high-fail areas which increased on-time builds to 93%. Sergeant Graham readied his organization for a 10-aircraft, multi-site deployment which featured 100 passengers, 41 short-tons of cargo and 245 sorties.

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Samuel A. Siewert

Airman First Class

Duty Title: Fire Protection Journeyman Organization: 437th Civil Engineer Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina Home of Record: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Airman First Class Samuel A. Siewert extracted a cardiac arrest patient from a civilian aircraft which enabled first responders to revive and save the life of the patient. He arrived on scene to a routine medical call but instantly identified a suicide attempt and provided care crucial to survival. Airman Siewert applied advanced lifesaving techniques to a patient who was lifeless after being ejected from a car, saving the persons life. He was recalled to duty to help battle a raging military housing fire where he assisted the resident with relocation. Airman Siewert rescued a worker who was pinned between two cars, stabilized a broken leg and treated the patient for internal injuries. The patient fully recovered.

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Ryan D. Pfeifer

Senior Airman

Duty Title: Security Forces Journeyman Organization: 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota Home of Record: Aurora, Colorado

Senior Airman Ryan D. Pfeifer executed three emergency route deviations to allow re-routed forward units to meet the convoy commanders intent and to uphold security. He improved convoy briefing creation and distribution processes which saved two hours on each convoy and more than 200 man-hours annually. Airman Pfeifer performed 72 hours as a security escort team leader for increased mission operations which allowed three missile sequence code changes to be accomplished without delay. He served as a heavy weapons team leader for 120 convoys which exceeded the previous years total by 50% without incident.

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Sarah A. Sparks

Master Sergeant

Duty Title: Supply Manager Organization: Logistics, Installation and Support Division of Headquarter Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Home of Record: Taos, New Mexico

Master Sergeant Sarah A. Sparks served on a one-year deployment as a logistics advisor for the Afghan National Security Forces where she advised the Afghan two-star Logistics and Materiel Readiness Directors and synchronized efforts across the Ministry of Defense. She led 225 convoys and ensured the safety of 1,400 passengers along 1,600 miles with no mishaps. Sergeant Sparks managed the Afghan National Armys depot capability for 134,000 soldiers and 11,000 weapons accounting for a $350 million vehicle fleet and $65 million in radio equipment. She drove a 100% review of national Afghan logistics policies and procedures which slashed the rewrite time from 18 months to four months.

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2010 Supporting Corporations

Accenture BAE Systems Boeing Booz Allen Hamilton CSC EADS North America GE Aviation General Dynamics C4 Systems KBR Lockheed Martin Pratt and Whitney Raytheon Company SAIC SES World Skies, U. S. Government Solutions TUI University

as of 8/24/10

2010

AFA Supporting Partners

$200K or more

$50K to $99,999

$10K to $49,999

up to $9,999