Outstanding Airmen honored at dinner

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. J.C. Woodring
  • Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force Association officials held a formal dinner honoring the 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year was held at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14 during the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition.

"This is a proud moment for our honorees," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, who served as the master of ceremonies for the evening's events.
 It is also a proud moment for our Air Force. "Through their many achievements, these Airmen have set new standards for themselves, fellow Airmen and the United States Air Force.

"The 12 outstanding Airmen here tonight personify the very essence of what we strive for," he said. They are brave and model citizens and they serve their country every day with dignity. They are proud Airmen and proud Americans."

This year marks the 55th year AFA  officials have assisted the Air Force in presenting the award program, which recognized the 12 Airmen who represent more than 415,000 enlisted Airmen of the Air Force active, guard and Reserve forces.

"As evidenced by your selection as one of our twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year, you not only have stepped I up, but I would submit that you will be viewed differently as a result of this honor," Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the Air Force vice chief of staff, said during his keynote speech during the dinner.

"You may not feel differently after tonight, but look into the eyes of the Airmen in your organizations when you get back ... you'll recognize that they see you differently," he said.

The Airmen were escorted into the dinner by their guests, which included husbands, wives, mothers, and a sister, girlfriend and fiancée.

Chief Roy recognized these Airmen's families and their homes as being where "most of the core values and standards of excellence began."

"The nation owes a debt to the parents, spouses and family members of our 12 outstanding Airmen," he said.

The 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

- Staff Sgt. Joseph Aton, a tactical air control party journeyman from Air Combat  Command's 11th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Hood, Texas.

- Staff Sgt. Zully Birkbeck, a financial management journeyman from Air Education and Training Command's 56th Comptroller Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

- Tech. Sgt. Anthony Graham, an avionics craftsman from Pacific Air Forces' 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Eielson AFB, Alaska.

- Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez, a combat control craftsman from Air Force Special Operations Command's 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C.

- Senior Master Sgt. Steven Higgins, a cyber systems superintendent from U.S. Air Forces in Europe's 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

- Master Sgt. Stephen Hunter, an explosive ordnance disposal craftsman from Air Force Reserve Command's 944th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz.

- Master Sgt. James Mogren, a security forces craftsman from Air Force Materiel Command's 72nd Security Forces Squadron at Tinker AFB, Okla.

- Staff Sgt. Cheryl Moore, an intelligence applications journeyman from Air Force District in Washington's 8th Intelligence Squadron at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

- Staff Sgt. Ryan Pfeifer, a security forces journeyman from Air Force Global Strike Command's 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Minot AFB, N.D.

- Senior Airman Samuel Siewert, a fire protection journeyman from Air Mobility Command's 437th Civil Engineer Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C.

- Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Sparks, a supply manager from Air Force Space Command headquarters at Peterson AFB, Colo.

- Staff Sgt. Kenneth Walker, a tactical air control party journeyman from the Air National Guard's 119th Air Support Operations Squadron at Camp Murray, Wash.

"This has been an incredible experience," Sergeant Moore said. "I'm so honored to be selected for this award and to serve with these other Airmen. I look forward to getting to work on the Enlisted Council."

As the Air Force enlisted council, the Airmen travel to speak with their peers and ask them what is on their minds. Then, they provide talking papers to Air Force senior leaders on recommended changes to Air Force policy.