8th IS Airman selected as Outstanding Airman of the Year

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii --  An Airman assigned to the 8th Intelligence Squadron here was recently selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of Year for 2010, a distinction that recognizes 12 outstanding enlisted personnel for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.

Staff Sgt. Cheryl Moore, a multi-source analyst from Portland, Ore., and 11 other winners were selected by an Air Force selection board that included the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer, and major command chief master sergeants. Since 1956, the Air Force has recognized Airmen who were truly among the best in the Air Force.

Sergeant Moore's work with the 8th IS directly supports 13th Air Force and Pacific Air Force operations, as well as other geographic commands.

"We are incredibly proud of Staff Sergeant Moore and all that she has accomplished while assigned to Team Hickam," said Lt. Col. Douglas Smith, 8th IS commander. "Her selection as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year is a tremendous honor and it shows the quality of Airman that she is. Serving as part of the 8th IS in the 692nd Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Group, she is truly a role model for all of us and exemplifies the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do."

From a potential pool of more than 260,000 enlisted Airmen, the board considered 36 nominees, who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and the Air Staff. Of those packages, only 12 were selected for the honor of being the Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

"Staff Sergeant Moore is an incredibly well-rounded Airman and we have the distinct pleasure of having her be part of our team," said Master Sgt. Ben David, first sergeant for the 8th IS. "She is the poster child for the Air Force and absolutely everything you'd expect from one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year."

Sergeant Moore's accomplishments are numerous. During a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she identified enemy hostile intent and immediately notified the on-scene commander. Her quick thinking prevented the attack and allowed for the capture of 14 rocket and mortar launchers. During the same deployment, she received a Joint Service Achievement Medal for her expert analysis of Predator video that enabled Hellfire Strikes on a terrorist target. Sergeant Moore is a distinguished graduate of the Hickam Airman Leadership School, an Air Force marathoner, and a 4.0 GPA student currently working towards her Community College of the Air Force associate degree and a bachelor's degree in international relations.

"Sergeant Moore always looks for ways to improve herself, her team and her community, and is willing to take on and conquer the toughest challenges. We wish her all the best in her next duty station at Mountain Home Air Force Base, and safe travels as she represents Hickam Air Force Base this next year as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year," said Colonel Smith.

The nominees are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon, while the 12 winners will wear the bronze service star device on the ribbon. The winners will also wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

Air Force Association officials will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during its Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September. The Airmen will also serve as members of the AFA's enlisted advisory council for the next year.