Battle Creek's Airmen of the year recognized

Photo By Airman 1st Class Tiffany Clark | Col. Bryan Teff recognized members of the 110th Attack Wing, Battle Creek, Mich. for their outstanding efforts throughout the year at a ceremony Dec. 2, 2017. Airman 1st Class Spencer J. Brignall, Emergency Management Specialist, 110th Civil Engineer Squadron, was awarded Airman of the Year for filling the fulltime Emergency Management position during another airman’s deployment.  

BATTLE CREEK, MI, UNITED STATES

12.12.2017

Story by Tech. Sgt. Jason Boyd 

110th Wing

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Col. Bryan Teff recognized members of the 110th Attack Wing, Battle Creek, Mich. for their outstanding efforts throughout the year at a ceremony Dec. 2, 2017. These awards included Company Grade Officer of the Year, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Non-Commissioned of the Year, Airman of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year, and Honor Guard member of the Year.

Capt. Jonathan Stein, Medical Administration Officer, 110th Medical Group, was awarded Company Grade Officer of the Year for keeping a smooth running clinic and managing several additional duty programs. He was also instrumental in supporting the armed forces of Liberia and their medical team as a part of the State Partnership Program. In 2017, he performed a knowledge exchange with a Liberian medical logistics team and in 2016, led a Medical Records and Administration engagement.

“Receiving the award means a lot. I am very humble about receiving the award and hope it inspires other CGOs to keep going and take on new tasks,” said Stein. “As leaders, we have to challenge ourselves and seek continuous improvement, while being as humble as possible with our leadership character.”

Master Sgt. Nicky Gilbert, Knowledge Operations Manager, 110th Communications Flight, was recognized as Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for her efforts during her recent deployment, which included establishing an Inspector General Gatekeeper automatic routing collaboration site on Share Point. She established a work-around so that embassy partners could have proper access allowing mission critical information to be shared and coordinated with several local vendors, procuring over $2 million in equipment for the 380th Communications Squadron.

“I can honestly say that I've never worked harder in my life than I have in the last year on my personal, professional goals, as well as the squadron's mission goals; to receive this award represents a culmination of all of that hard work,” said Gilbert. “I am so thankful and truly honored to have been given the opportunities that I've been given in the last year.”

Tech. Sgt. Mark Zainea, Education and Training Manager, 217th Air Operations Group, received the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award for work done for 217th ACOMS and the 217th AOG staff, as well as work supporting the 603rd AOC at Ramstein Air Base, plus base and community involvement.

“As I interact with people within the 217th AOG and across the 110th Attack Wing, I am always very impressed by the number of smart, hard-working, and dedicated individuals all across the base, so to be singled out from that group as someone deserving of special recognition is a huge honor because I can look around and point out dozens of people that, in my opinion, are just as deserving,” said Zainea. “So, to be recognized by leadership as someone that stands out from such a great group of people is truly a highlight of my military career.”

Airman 1st Class Spencer J. Brignall, Emergency Management Specialist, 110th Civil Engineer Squadron, was awarded Airman of the Year for filling the full-time Emergency Management position during another Airman’s deployment. He is doing a job typically done by SNCOs; such as briefing commanders on program status, training unit emergency management representatives, making sure the shop is compliant with Air Force Instructions, and managing a full warehouse of response equipment.

“For me, receiving this award lets me know I am doing a good job and that what I am doing is having a positive impact,” said Airman 1st Class Brignall. “I am very grateful to be selected as Airman of the Year.”

Staff Sgt. Anthony Woodruff, 217th Air Operations Group, was awarded Honor Guard member of the year for participating in more that fifteen honor guard engagements to include funerals, colors presentations and other community engagements.

Master Sgt. Amy Salazar, First Sergeant, 110th Operations Group, was awarded First Sergeant of the year for her efforts supporting three different commanders, 200-plus airman and their families, and tracking critical dependent care plans. She was also instrumental in professional development of Airman through mentoring.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2017
• Date Posted: 12.12.2017 17:39
• Story ID: 258545
• Location: BATTLE CREEK, MI, US