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Accomplished Airmen achieve top awards

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  • By Staff Sgt . Kenny Holston
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE --  Top Airmen and civilians assigned to U.S. Air Forces Central Command were recognized for their achievements during an annual award ceremony here, Feb. 7.

On behalf of Lt. Gen. John Hesterman, AFCENT commander, Brig. Gen. John Dolan, AFCENT assistant deputy commander, presided over the ceremony along with Chief Master Sgt. Antonio Brock, AFCENT senior enlisted leader.

Dolan expressed how truly proud he is of not only the award winners, but all the nominees.

"Congratulations to all of our annual award winners and their families; this is a team effort and you've all done so well. We all congratulate you. What you do every day is so important to our Airmen and servicemembers fighting in the war downrange. Quite simply, what you do saves lives and takes care of our team. Thank you."

As the ceremony continued Dolan took time to call each member to the stage and personally shake their hand and give them their award.

"I've been in the Air Force for just over two years and this was my first time to be directly recognized by a general," said Senior Airman Jessica Estrada, AFCENT weather journeyman. "I was a little nervous when walking up to the stage but proud and excited at the same time."

Dolan, who believes heavily in family support systems and the total wingman concept, encouraged the award winners to share their achievements with their family and friends.

"I told my parents about my award right away," said Estrada, a native of Atwater, Calif. "They were extremely happy and proud of me."

AFCENT is the air component of United States Central Command, a regional unified command. The command is responsible for air operations (either unilaterally or in concert with coalition partners) and developing contingency plans in support of national objectives for U.S. CENTCOM's 20-nation area of responsibility in Southwest Asia.

The AFCENT annual award winners are as follows:

Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Jessica Estrada

Estrada enabled planning and execution of 1.1 thousand sorties and 53 distinguished visitor transport missions. Estrada was also selected for senior airman below the zone allowing her to promote early.

NCO of the Year: Tech Sgt. Jason Gray

Gray led a $22,000 mission critical special access programs network and was the first ever in AFCENT to do so. In addition, he ensured real-time planning of 11 joint wings in the AFCENT Area of Responsibility.

Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. John Cloutier

Cloutier masterfully led a 46 Airmen flight, producing four senior airmen below the zone winners and six squadron monthly top performers, along with two quarterly awards. He was also the senior noncommissioned officer of the third quarter.

First Sgt. of the Year: Master Sgt. David Williams

Williams was the first responder for two potential suicides. He neutralized volatile situations and helped secure the two people in outpatient care as a result two lives were saved.

Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Jeremy McKoy

McKoy is described by his leadership as a leader and warrior. He directed the largest division of more than 75 people during 24/7 operations. McKoy is the AFCENT Intelligence Directorate's Lance P. Sijan nominee.

Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Cassandra Antwine

Antwine expertly led the area of operations largest award fee contract of $535 million, 16 Airmen and 32 audits. She kept $3.8 billion War Readiness Material ready for the warfighter.

Category 1 Civilian of the Year: Melissa Henley

Henley directed a five person team; verified 850 offices of record error free and captured Air Combat Command's Gen. Jumper's Civilian Tech of the Year for 2013.

Category 2 Civilian of the Year: Michael Hartzell

Hartzell oversaw the inspection preparation with an elite cyber team and aced two Combatant Command inspections. He achieved "outstanding" on two inspections which was the first for U.S. Central Command's Area of Responsibility by a DoD unit.