Senior Airman Kyle Larson, 325th Maintenance Squadron munitions systems journeyman, recently earned the 2011 AIM-9X "Cutting Edge" Air Force award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea)
7/10/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Senior Airman Kyle Larson, 325th Maintenance Squadron munitions systems journeyman, recently earned the 2011 AIM-9X "Cutting Edge" Air Force award.
"The Naval Air Systems Command Air-to-Air Missile Program Office (PMA-259) chose this year's winner from a group of Navy, Air Force and Marine professionals who have all made immense contributions to the early success of the nation's newest short range air-to-air missile," said Brig. Gen. John McMullen, 325th Fighter Wing commander. "Please join me in congratulating Airman Larson."
Larson, native of Stuart, Fla., has been a member of Tyndall Air Force Base since 2009.
"Tyndall is great," said Larson. "I've been here three years in October and can't complain. You can find anything here, from water sports to sky diving and they are all within a few miles of each other."
He initially enlisted in the Air Force to fulfill a family legacy.
"I've been in the Air Force for just about five and a half years now," Larson said. "I knew I would join the military because I always wanted to follow in my grandfather's footsteps. He served in World War II and has been my biggest influence to join since I can remember."
Larson credits his win to proficiency and attention to detail.
"It's surreal," he said. "I would have never thought of winning an award for doing my job; it feels great. This is the only shop in the Air Force that reconfigures AIM 9x's and I'm glad to be a part of it."
He also recognizes that he is not the only person who made his achievement possible.
"I'd like to thank everyone I work with and my supervisors for recognizing me for this award," said Airman Larson. "I know everything we do is a team effort and this award really reflects on our shop and what we do at Tyndall."
