Michigan Air National Guard honors Battle Creek Airmen

Photo By Senior Airman Ryan Bishop | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Allison Bartha, 110th Security Forces Squadron, is the Michigan ANG’s 2021 Airman of the Year. She deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Resolute Support, safeguarding $8 billion in assets and almost 4,000 personnel ensuring the successful completion of 2,300 combat sorties. Sergeant Bartha managed security for the Department of Defense’s largest command and reconnaissance facility serving as Command and Control for approximately one million square miles of airspace, impacting several areas of responsibility. In addition to her duties while deployed, she completed a degree from the Community College of the Air Force and three professional military education courses in addition to her master's degree. (Air National Guard photo by: SrA Ryan Bishop)  

BATTLE CREEK, MI, UNITED STATES

02.08.2022

Story by Staff Sgt. Bethany Rizor 

110th Wing

LANSING, Mich. – Two members of the 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich., have received honors for performance excellence as 2021 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for the Michigan Air National Guard.

Staff Sergeant Allison Bartha, 110th Security Forces Squadron, and Master Sergeant Sean O’Connor, 217th Air Operations Group, were selected from approximately 2,500 citizen-Airmen that populate the state’s four ANG installations, representing the Michigan ANG’s “best of the best.” Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards are presented in four distinct categories: Airman of the Year, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and First Sergeant of the Year.

“Battle Creek Air National Guard Base is home station for nearly 1,000 diverse members with a proud heritage of service in Southwest Michigan dating back to 1947,” said Col. Shawn Holtz, 110th Wing commander. “The mission of the 110th Wing has changed many times over the past eight decades. However, it is the character of our people – exemplified by Sergeant O’Connor and Sergeant Bartha – that drives the 110th Wing’s ability to succeed.”

Selections for the award are made through a rigorous, multi-tiered process that begins when an Airman is nominated by their squadron or group commander to compete at the base level. A board is then assembled to identify the best candidates to represent each installation in the state-wide competition. Throughout the process, each individual’s dedication and service over the previous calendar year are taken into consideration.

Staff Sgt. Allison Bartha, 110th Security Forces Squadron, is the Michigan ANG’s 2021 Airman of the Year. She deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Resolute Support, safeguarding $8 billion in assets and almost 4,000 personnel ensuring the successful completion of 2,300 combat sorties. Sergeant Bartha managed security for the Department of Defense’s largest command and reconnaissance facility serving as Command and Control for approximately one million square miles of airspace, impacting several areas of responsibility. In addition to her duties while deployed, she completed a degree from the Community College of the Air Force and three professional military education courses in addition to her master's degree.

Master Sgt. Sean O’Connor, 217th Air Operations Group, is the Michigan ANG’s 2021 First Sergeant of the Year. O’Connor is assigned as the First Sergeant to the 217th Air Operations Group. He is the “go to” first sergeant across the Wing and mentors other unit first sergeants for their roles and responsibilities to better serve their groups and squadrons. In addition to serving as the first sergeant of the second largest Group in the 110th Wing, he backfilled for the Wing First Sergeant, advising the Wing Command Chief on administrative actions and the critical family care plan program.

Battle Creek ANG Base Outstanding Airman of the Year recipients at the installation level are as follows; Tech. Sgt. Ginger Jones, 110th Medical Group, NCO of the Year; Master Sgt. Hart Haire, 110th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Senior NCO of the Year; Capt. Tandi Bailey,110th Medical Group, Company Grade Officer of the Year; Chief Master Sgt. Erik Morse, 217th Air Operations Group, Honor Guard Member of the Year.

“The 110th Wing is an elite team. Each of our members support our country’s National Defense Strategy with a highly technical skillset, so being selected to represent the Wing at the state level is an incredible honor,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jenny Balabuch, 110th Wing command chief. “Especially considering the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, I couldn’t be prouder of what Sergeant O’Connor and Sergeant Bartha have accomplished.”

Award packages for each of Michigan’s Airman of the Year selectees will next be reviewed at the regional level. If selected, they would then compete against Air National Guard peers nationwide.

• Date Taken: 02.08.2022
• Date Posted: 02.08.2022 13:59
• Story ID: 414243
• Location: BATTLE CREEK, MI, US