Photo By Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock | Airmen of the Florida Air National Guard honor the Airman of the Year recipients at a...... read more read more
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Air National Guard recognized its top performers during the annual Airmen of the Year banquet held Jan. 8, 2022. The ceremony honored outstanding airmen who demonstrated superior leadership, job performance and personal achievement throughout the prior calendar year.
Each year, nominees are selected from across the Florida Air National Guard Headquarters, 125th Fighter Wing and 101st Air Operations Group. The program highlights excellence across seven competitive categories: Airman, Noncommissioned Officer, Senior Noncommissioned Officer, First Sergeant, Honor Guard Member, Honor Guard Program Manager and Company Grade Officer.
This year’s honorees are:
Airman: Senior Airman Grace Pauly, Florida Air National Guard Headquarters
Noncommissioned Officer: U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Brown, 125th Operations Group
Senior Noncommissioned Officer: Senior Master Sgt. Ian Clementson, 125th Medical Group
First Sergeant: Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Sotomayor, 125th Operations Group
Honor Guard Member: Airman 1st Class Kim Tate, 101st Air Operations Group
Honor Guard Program Manager: Tech. Sgt. Tyler Turnmire, 101st Air Operations Group
Company Grade Officer: U.S. Air Force Capt. Alejandro Varela, 125th Operations Group
“The ceremony tonight is a way to highlight your accomplishments and to thank you for your commitment and dedication,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Tracey Canady, Florida Air National Guard state command chief, while addressing the nominees. “My only challenge for each of you is to lift others as you climb and take every opportunity to mentor the airmen coming behind you. You should never be afraid to share your knowledge, and most importantly you should never wait to lead.”
As part of the formal recognition, the awardees received the Florida Distinguished Service Medal and were coined by U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Valle, assistant adjutant general–air and commander of the Florida Air National Guard, and Canady. The Florida National Guard Chiefs Council also presented each winner with a commemorative memento, along with congratulatory gifts donated by local businesses.
“Your nomination as Airman of the Year competitors by your leadership reflect your hard work, attention to detail, and outstanding performance that you’ve demonstrated all year long,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. David Lanham, Florida National Guard command senior enlisted leader. “You are the embodiment of the Air Force’s core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.”
While seven airmen were selected as Airmen of the Year, a total of 15 nominees were recognized for exceptional performance at the unit level. Each nominee received the Florida Commendation Medal and was also coined by Valle and Canady.
“Although these awards are meant to celebrate the achievements and excellence of the airmen of here and now, it also sets the standard for which other airmen should strive for,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Angella Beckom, 125th Fighter Wing command chief. “If you’re not developing yourself, then you’re not going to help develop anyone else.”
The state-level winners will now move on to compete nationally among other top-performing airmen from state Guard units. Finalists selected at the national level will have the opportunity to compete across all components of the U.S. Air Force.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 01.11.2022 08:23 |
| Story ID: | 412689 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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