302nd Airlift Wing to honor top Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tim Taylor
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFRC) --  The 302nd Airlift Wing will honor its outstanding Airmen for 2006 at an awards banquet Feb. 10.

The wing's annual award winners are: Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Abdul-Ganeu Abdulai, 302nd Maintenance Squadron aerospace maintenance technician; Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Master Sgt. Robert Bostick, 302nd Services Flight services technician; Senior NCO of the Year, Senior Master Sgt. Garrin Pies, 302nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance flight line superintendent; First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sgt. Michael Orawiec, 302nd Security Forces Squadron first sergeant; Company Grade Officer of the Year, 1st Lt. Jody Ritchie, 302nd AW Public Affairs officer.

Airman Abdulai was a lieutenant in the Ghana Army. Looking to improve the quality of life for his family, he decided to come to the United States, giving up his commission and eventually becoming an enlisted member of the Air Force Reserve. He has quickly made his mark on the wing. In less than two years he's earned an outstanding student performance award at technical school, to be followed by Airman of the quarter and now, the wing's top junior enlisted member.

"To me this has helped build my confidence," he said. "It also gives me the feeling that I belong to the right organization with the right people and the right leaders. It makes me proud of serving in the United States Air Force. I'm also proud of my supervisors for all that they've taught me since I've been here."

For Sergeant Bostick, winning the annual award is nothing new. He was selected Airman of the Year for the wing and 10th Air Force in 1995 and was an Air Force Reserve Command nominee for the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. In 1999, he was selected NCO of the Year for the wing and 22nd AF and was AFRC's nominee for the 12 outstanding Airmen.

"I am very honored to be recognized by the 302nd Airlift Wing in being selected as NCO of the Year for 2006," he said. "Through the last year, I have completed goals that I felt were important to me as a person and as a military member and receiving this recognition has provided me with the ability to further guide others to accepting nothing less than 110 percent effort to accomplishing the mission of the 302nd AW and the 302nd Services Flight as well as their personal goals.

"I would like to thank my commander, Maj. Blane Linderman; my chief of services, Chief Master Sgt. Janine Cragin; and my supervisor, Master Sgt. Audra Maryland for recognizing my efforts within the wing."

It's only fitting the maintainers boast two award winners, given their exemplary aircraft maintenance record during the recent activation. Sergeant Pies was the second maintainer to be named an annual award winner and is a CENTCOM deployment veteran.

"To be recognized ahead of my peers is an honor that I never expected," he said. "I appreciate all the hard work and effort that everyone put forth to write my package. This award will be something that I will be able to look back on and be extremely proud of."

Sergeant Orawiec keeps the SFS tradition of award winners alive. They've won an annual award for at least five years running. Sergeant Orawiec is also the new president of the 302nd AW First Sergeant's Council.

"What an honor being selected as first sergeant of the year," he said. "In this wing we have some of the finest first sergeants you'll find anywhere.

"This award is truly reflective of efforts not only of myself but collective efforts of my peers; my wife, who constantly supports me more than anyone will know; and the members of my squadron and this wing. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful support network. This award equally belongs to them."

Lieutenant Ritchie is a former enlisted member. Not only is he the the wing's Public Affairs officer, for the past six months, since the position became vacant, he has also served as the acting chief of PA during unit training assemblies.

"I've met many sharp CGOs throughout the wing, so being selected for this award is an honor," he said. "Although the award is being presented to me, it's the wing leadership and public affairs staff that made it happen. I wouldn't have been nominated if leadership didn't give me the opportunity and if the PA staff didn't execute."

Notably, Lieutenant Ritchie and Sergeant Bostick began their military careers 20 years ago this year.

Airman Abdulai, Sergeant Bostick and Sergeant Pies will now compete at the 22nd Air Force level in hopes of eventually being named one the AF's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.