302nd Airlift Wing Airmen honored at annual awards banquet

  • Published
  • By Ann Skarban
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  In an evening filled with honor, tradition and suspense five members of the 302nd Airlift Wing learned they were selected as the Wing's 2011 Airmen of the Year on Saturday, March 3 at the Wing's annual awards banquet organized by the 302nd AW First Sergeants Council.

With more attendees than previous Wing Annual Award Banquets and with the announcement of the award winners held until the evening of the banquet, the nearly sold out crowd of 500 guests anxiously awaited through "table top" drum rolls for each category's award announcement.

"This year the announcement of the winners was held until the night of the event in the 'Emmy style' presentation. The hope was that it would add excitement to the evening," said Master Sgt. Dan Anthony, first sergeant for the 302nd's Aeromedical Staging Squadron and First Sergeant Council President.

The 302nd Airlift Wing 2011 Annual Award Winners announced that evening were:

Company Grade Officer of the Year; Capt. Brian Young, 302nd Security Forces Squadron, First Sergeant of the Year; Master Sgt. Andrea Cutcher, 302nd Security Forces Squadron, Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Flight, 302nd Operations Group, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Rene Hernandez, 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron and Airman of the Year; Senior Airman Jessica Deylius, 302nd Operations Support Squadron.

After each award recipient was announced for their respective category, the winners made their way to the stage in the applause and cheer-filled ballroom where they were congratulated by Col. Jay Pittman, 302nd AW Commander, Chief Master Sgt. Suzette Cherry 302nd AW Command Chief Master Sgt. and Chief Master Sgt. Steve Larwood, 22nd Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt.

"The award winners [award packages] were scored amongst their peers and evaluated on their leadership, job performance, significant self-improvement and contributions to their on and off base communities. Physical fitness scores, educational accomplishments, professional military education and decorations were all taken into consideration. The best all-around performer in each of the award categories were selected as the annual award winner," said Anthony.

In addition to the awards presentations, the evening's events included a motivational and inspirational tribute to serving our nation. The evening's key note speaker, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Albert Bowley relayed the highlights of his career of service and how having a sense of purpose and how being a part of something larger [the U.S. Air Force] made for a most meaningful career. Bowley retired from the U.S. Air Force as the Commander of the College for Enlisted Professional Military Education at Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, Ala.

Anthony encourages all supervisors to recognize the great work the Airmen of the Wing are doing and hopes they will consider nominating deserving individuals each quarter in 2012.

"Award programs such as this are important because they allow our Wing to highlight the outstanding things our people do throughout the year. The individual squadrons carefully select the best, well-rounded individual to compete for each award category," added Anthony.

For more information on the Wing's quarterly awards program and next year's Annual Awards Banquet, Anthony said each unit's first sergeant can assist.