PACAF names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  The Commander of Pacific Air Forces recently announced the command's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

The 12 honorees were selected from over 30,000 enlisted men and women throughout the command. Their selection as the outstanding Airmen of the year distinguishes the member from his or her peers by exceptional performance in the following areas: leadership and job performance in primary duty, significant self-improvement and base or community involvement.

"Recognizing our Airmen is one of my greatest pleasures," said Gen. Hawk Carlisle, Commander of Pacific Air Forces. "We are the greatest fighting force in the world and our asymmetric advantage is our Airmen; it always has been our Airmen and certainly our enlisted force; the kind of professionalism that they have is an indication that we are going nowhere but up."

Carlisle had the opportunity to present a plaque to Master Sgt. Tim Stewart, one of 12 selectees, April 22 at the PACAF Headquarters building. Though currently stationed on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Stewart earned this award during his time assigned to the 374th Communications Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan. 


The 2013 Pacific Air Forces Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

Active Duty:

First Sergeant of the Year:
Master Sergeant Jason D. Anderson, the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Sergeant Anderson led the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron with the highest operations tempo: 54 aircraft performing 6,500 sorties culminating in 9,600 flying hours. He averted four potential suicides by responding within minutes, and helped to establish treatment and after care. He built the Key Spouse program and led monthly meetings, tracking and accounting for 59 spouses during seven typhoons in Japan.

Senior NCO of the Year:
Master Sergeant Timothy M. Stewart, the 374th Communications Squadron Network Control Center section lead, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Sergeant Stewart was recognized as the 374th Air Wing's senior non-commissioned officer of the year, leading operations for the command's largest network control center. Sergeant Stewart and his team fixed 2,000 issues, executed $ 2 million in upgrades and earned two "Outstanding" ratings during inspections. As the joint cyber inspection leader, he eliminated 90 network vulnerabilities. On his off-duty time, he taught three, four-hour evaluation report writing seminars and two feedback and mentoring courses, sharpening 75 NCO's supervisory skills.

NCO of the Year:
Technical Sergeant Andrew P. Adrian, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal craftsman from the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Sergeant Adrian deployed for 214 days in support of the U.S. Marine Corps, performing as the team leader on 30 improvised explosive device missions, where he assisted in the protection of more than 40,000 military forces and 1.4 million Afghan personnel. He risked his life by tackling two Afghan soldiers, preventing them from triggering an IED and saving the lives of two people. For his quick actions, he was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

Airman of the Year:
Senior Airman Joshua L. Hanna, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal journeyman from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Airman Hanna executed 151 joint combat missions, and provided suppressive fire while engaging the enemy during improvised explosive device operations, earning him the Combat Action Badge while in Afghanistan. He trained 347 coalition forces on IED search techniques, improving squadron member survivability. For his actions he was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation and the U.S. Air Force Achievement Medals.

Air National Guard and Reserve:

First Sergeant of the Year:
Master Sgt. Anthony Colon, the 154th Wing first sergeant, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Sergeant Colon was responsible for 343 Airmen representing 15 different job classifications from five squadrons and the National Guard Headquarters. He resolved over 45 potential mission degrading issues without any negative impacts. His leadership role included a one-month deployment over two integrated flying squadrons with 120 Airmen, which resulted in meeting all flying missions with zero mishaps.

Senior NCO of the Year:
Master Sergeant Jerry M. Damian, a 254th Force Support Squadron unit training manager, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Sergeant Damian, during a deployment to Afghanistan, prevented the degradation of the Joint Special Operations Force warfighters mission tasking, resulting in the award of the Bronze Star. He orchestrated 15 emergency resupplies with ammunition and water for U.S. forces with zero casualties. He volunteered monthly at a historical village site to help clean up and preserve the area for the local community, future residents and visitors.

NCO of the Year:
Technical Sergeant Brandon L. Grisham, an Aviation Resource Management non-commissioned officer in charge from the 168th Operations Support Flight, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Sergeant Grisham maintained 100 percent accountability of 11,115 flying hours, resulting in the reimbursement of $1.3 million in operating costs. He prepared 2,795 aircraft flight authorizations leading to $598 million in aircraft fuel being delivered to U.S. and coalition forces worldwide.

Airman of the Year:
Senior Airman Ivan R. Chatham, a Helicopter/Tilt-rotor Technician journeyman from the 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Airman Chatham achieved a 100 percent pass rate on all quality assurance evaluations and inspections. He assisted in identifying a defective relay panel problem resulting in the correction of all aircraft defects fleet wide. He successfully performed at the non-commissioned officer level as a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter dedicated crew chief.

Reserve:

First Sergeant of the Year:
Senior Master Sergeant James E. Kenwolf, the 48th Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Sergeant Kenwolf facilitated monthly squadron physical training, enabling him to refine the remedial training process for his members. He oversaw more than 75 personnel PT evaluations with a 96 percent pass rate, resulting in the best PT statistics in the 624th Regional Support Group. His resourcefulness ensured the squadron was deployable ready with critical assets on hand to
include more than $330,000 in resources. Sergeant Kenwolf also supported the military force protection cell during Senator Inouye's memorial ceremony with the president in attendance.

Senior NCO of the Year: 
Master Sergeant Richard A. Keele, a 477th Force Support Squadron, Support Flight superintendent, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Sergeant Keele identified 40 personnel manpower process improvements, increasing squadron efficiency. He revitalized the Military Personnel Flight training program by holding 40 in-house training sessions and increased the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations deployment pool by five personnel. On his off-duty time, he provided emergency care to a civilian who fainted, ensuring continuous care for the patient until Emergency Medical Services arrived.

NCO of the Year:
Technical Sergeant John M. Harris, a Cyber System Operations craftsman from the 477th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Sergeant Harris, recognized as the 477th Fighter Group's 2012 NCO of the Year, reduced the overall number of trouble calls from customers requesting onsite technical support by 25 percent. He also resolved more than 20 assigned trouble tickets per Unit Training Assembly, placing him 52 percent above his peers.

Airman of the Year:
Senior Airman David A. Hernandez, a Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration technician from the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Airman Hernandez, recognized as the Armed Services YMCA Reservist of the Year for 2012, filled in as the work center's superintendent, in place of the master sergeant who deployed. He managed three Airmen, performing above his grade to include the role of shop trainer and upgrade training monitor for unit personnel.