PACAF honors 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn
  • HQ PACAF Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Pacific Air Forces Airmen were honored as PACAF's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the Tradewinds Enlisted Club here, April 27.

Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, with the help of Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean, PACAF command chief, presented each of the 12 Airmen with a plaque in honor of their accomplishments.

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 exhibited by exceptional performance in the following areas: leadership and job performance in primary duty, significant self-improvement and base or community involvement.

The 2012 Pacific Air Forces Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

- Senior Airman Jaime A. Compean III, a contracting specialist from the 18th Contracting Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. The lead advisor for nine multi-service units, he guided contracts in excess of $2.3 million. Additionally, he identified a contract pricing discrepancy that saved the Air Force $93,000. His leadership and NCO-level performance led to his selection to senior airman below-the-zone.

- Senior Airman Uyen T. Tran, a material management journeyman from the 154th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. As the squadron resource manager, she accounted for over $2 million in assets, and identified and recovered missing property that saved the Air Force $35,000. Additionally, she organized a Hawaii Air National Guard training symposium and devoted her personal time performing as a translator for a Vietnamese community.

- Senior Airman Darren Precht, an air transportation journeyman from the 48th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He deployed in support of Operation New Dawn and enabled the transportation of over 1,500 deployed troops. As a controller, he synchronized the movement of 162,000 pounds of cargo and 10 joint prisoners of war and missing in action accounting missions. Additionally, he spends his time mentoring and coaching first year college students.

- Tech. Sgt. Matthew W. Stark, an explosive ordnance disposal craftsman from the 354th Civil Engineering Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In the past year, he led the most decorated of seven flights in Iraq. His leadership ensured the safe completion of 27 missions in support of Operation New Dawn with zero casualties. He also led explosive ordnance disposal teams during the U.S. general assembly, protecting the president and 193 world leaders. His accomplishments led to his selection as the Alaska Armed Services YMCA Service Person of the Year.

- Tech. Sgt. Carmela Rapadas, protocol NCOIC from the 254th Force Support Squadron, Guam Air National Guard, Guam. She facilitated the dignified transfer of a U. S. Army soldier's remains. Additionally, she was the protocol lead for ceremonies and banquets that supported over 500 distinguished visitors and veterans. She spends her off-duty time volunteering for Special Olympics and catholic social services.

- Master Sgt. Shanna Perry, an education and training craftsman from the 477th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Her maintenance background proved instrumental to her successful revision of the career assistance advisor program and total force integration at JBER. She authored the first quarterly unit career advisor training program, streamlined 40 processes, created the fiscal year 2011 incentive list, counseled over 100 members and identified critical Air Force Specialty Codes to maximize recruiting and retention. Despite a 70 percent manning loss, her management of two sections was critical to the 3rd Wing "Excellent" Unit Compliance Inspection rating and the Commander in Chiefs' Installation Excellence Award. Lastly, she completed 24 semester hours toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics and is actively involved with the American Red Cross, Childcare Development Center and the local Boy Scouts.

- Master Sgt. William Kellum, an explosive ordnance disposal superintendent from the 354th Civil Engineering Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In the past year, Master Sgt. Kellum deployed to Vietnam and enabled the repatriation of four missing in action remains, and was awarded his 3rd Bronze Star Medal for his actions during combat. He managed a 42-person Joint U.S./Australian team to protect the president of the United States and led his flight to capture the Senior Master Sgt. Gerald J. Stryzak award for PACAF's outstanding explosive ordnance disposal flight of the year.

- Master Sgt. Ryan Schreiner, a security forces craftsman from 154th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He volunteered to lead a 13-man team in Balad in support of Operation New Dawn. While there, he executed a 10-hour mission outside the wire leading 19 Airmen on barrier repairs. He solidified the base perimeter and eliminated access to base assets and personnel. Additionally, he was the flight chief for a 67-man quick reaction force in support of the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting.

- Master Sgt. Peter Rieta, a unit training manager from the 48th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. As a training manager, he restructured his squadron's evaluation process and increased training quality and timeliness to 100 percent. Additionally, he served as a Public Affairs augmentee and captured over 4,000 photos documenting the history of the entire 624th Regional Support Group.. He personally assisted over 20 Airmen in the remedial fitness program.

- Senior Master Sgt. Nicole Johnson, a First Sergeant with the 613th Air and Space Operations Center, 56thAir and Space Communications Squadron and the 17th Operational Weather Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. She was the Air and Space Operational Center's Lance P. Sijan and Tuskegee Airman Award winner. She assisted two families with infant deaths, identified an Airman with suicidal ideations, attended to an Airman with hallucinations and was the focal point for a deployed Airman with a brain tumor. She was the first Airman to attend the New Zealand Air Force Warrant Officers Course. Immersed in her community, she is involved in Habitat for Humanity, homeless and women's abuse shelters and is a trustee in the local Air Force Sergeant's Association Chapter, which received the Division 14 Communications Excellence Award.

- Master Sgt. Thomas Gregory, a First Sergeant from the 176th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He intervened in two possible suicides, preventing harm and preserving life. Following the Reno Air Races crash mishap, he coordinated mental health support for 10 Security Forces responders. He serves as the treasurer for the Wing First Sergeant's Council, serving over 1,300 Airmen. He is also pursuing his bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management.

- Master Sgt. Tammy Thompson, a First Sergeant from the 624th Civil Engineering Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. She directed over 140 Airmen, aided in Operation Tomodachi and her leadership efforts led to her team earning a PACAF quarterly award. Additionally, she provided security for the Air Force Chief of Staff and in her spare time, she makes and distributes care packages for the homeless.

These Airmen will now compete at the Air Force level for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.