JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Team Langley warmly welcomes all 2012 Air Combat Command Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominees and their families, co-workers and friends to Virginia for this year's recognition week.
"As the premier Air Force in the world, there is no doubt we have some amazing people doing amazing things, but this week we will recognize the few that represent the many," said Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Combat Command. "As a result of their individual efforts our nominees have been selected to represent a team of Airmen from across Air Combat Command."
Each Airman will meet with a formal selection board of up to six chief master sergeants to be evaluated on their award packages, communication skills, and military image and the board's recommendations will be provided directly to the commander of ACC for a final decision.
Nominees and their special guest will also participate in a day and a half of classroom-style professional development and several team-building activities.
"It is important that we take time to recognize these Airmen and their families as it is the way we say thanks to the thousands of Airmen across the command," said Parsons. "A special thanks goes out to each family represented here this week for their service and sacrifice. Also, a big thanks to our host wing, the 633d Air Base Wing, and the committee members who put on the conference and ceremony. "
While nominees are here, they will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the great attractions the Hampton Roads community has to offer, including visits to Peninsula Towne Centre and Norfolk Naval Station for an assault ship tour.
The nominees have already earned individual honors at the Numbered Air Force, Center, or Major Command staff levels in six categories: Airman of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Honor Guardsman of the Year, Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year and United States of the Air Force First Sergeant of the Year.
The week's events culminate with the ACC Outstanding Airmen of the Year Banquet April 4.
On behalf of Team Langley, congratulations to the following 2011 OAY nominees:
Outstanding Airman
Staff Sgt. Ray F. Shively, Canadian Forces Base North Bay
Airman 1st Class Heather D. Moran, Shaw AFB, S.C.
Senior Airman Tyler H. Jones, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Senior Airman Cory T. Branham, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Senior Airman Christopher L. Dodson, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer
Tech. Sgt. Christopher D. Jachimiec, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Tech. Sgt. Alejandro C. Rodriguez, Shaw AFB, S.C.
Tech. Sgt. Anthony R. James, Dyess AFB, Texas
Staff Sgt. Shawn D. O'Day, Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Southwest Asia
Staff Sgt. Natasha A. Hoglund, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Tech. Sgt. Juan A. Rodriguez, Canadian Forces Base North Bay
Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer
Senior Master Sgt. Ronald R. Thompson, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Senior Master Sgt. Eric B. Soluri, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
Master Sgt. Tiffany R. Bettisworth, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Master Sgt. Jeremy L. Isaac, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia
Senior Master Sgt. Michelle R. Jackson, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Outstanding First Sergeant
Master Sgt. Steven R. Mathews, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Master Sgt. Jennifer R. Wampler, Holloman AFB, N.M.
Senior Master Sgt. George D. Anderson, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Master Sgt. Trenton S. Chambers, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Outstanding Honor Guard Member
Airman 1st Class Nicholas J. Trudo, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Senior Airman Kurtis A. Brown, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Senior Airman Jay W. Hamann, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
Outstanding Honor Guard Program Manager
Tech. Sgt. Michael W. Lewis, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
Staff Sgt. Eric G. Lawlor, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Staff Sgt. Brandon D. Hutchinson, Dyess AFB, Texas