Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, the command chief master sergeant to the director of the Air National Guard, discusses the accomplishments of the six 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year during the 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards ceremony at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 22, 2012. The ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year ceremony recognizes the ANGs six top performers for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin Preston/RELEASED)
Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the Air National Guard, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, the command chief master sergeant to the director of the ANG, present Senior Master Sgt. Luke W. Thompson, 125th Special Tactics Squadron, Oregon ANG, with the Outstanding Airman Ribbon during the 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards ceremony at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 22, 2012. The ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year ceremony recognizes the ANGs six top performers for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin Preston/RELEASED)
Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the Air National Guard, commends the six 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the year during the 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards ceremony at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 22, 2012. The ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year ceremony recognizes the ANGs six top performers for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin Preston/RELEASED)
by Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Bynum
Air National Guard Special Staff Public Affairs
8/23/2012 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (8/22/2012) -- Six Air National Guard Airmen were recognized for their achievements during the 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards ceremony at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here Wednesday.
Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the ANG, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, the command chief master sergeant to the director of the ANG, presented three recipients with the Outstanding Airman Ribbon and all the Airmen with the ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year medallion and plaques recognizing their performance.
"It seems like every year we get better and better quality," said Wyatt. "I think that's a tribute to the fine job that our states are doing in training our Airmen, also in recognizing our Airmen and taking the time to nominate them for this prestigious award."
Wyatt told those attending the ceremony that paying honor and tribute to the six outstanding Airmen representing the ANG was one of his favorite times of the year.
The 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:
Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Luke W. Thompson, 125th Special Tactics Squadron, Oregon ANG.
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Jacob S. Curtis, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois ANG.
Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Michael D. McCaffrey, 116th Air Refueling Wing, Washington ANG.
First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Fred W. Hudgins Jr., 161st Air Refueling Wing, Arizona ANG.
Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year: Master Sgt. Jeffrey L. Lamarche, Eastern Air Defense Sector, New York ANG.
Honor Guard Member of the Year: Staff Sgt. Carrie M. Kline, 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana ANG.
Each year, the 54 states and territories select their top performers from more than 92,000 ANG enlisted Airmen. This award recognizes these outstanding enlisted personnel for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.
"These are American heroes," said Muncy. "They represent the best of the best of the 92,000 enlisted members that currently serve in the Air National Guard."
The accomplishments of these Airmen include decorated combat service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, volunteer work in their communities and educational excellence.
The 2012 ANG Outstanding Airmen of the Year competed with the total Air Force's active duty and Reserve Airmen from other major commands for the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year recognition. Thompson was selected as one of the top 12 Airmen in the Air Force.
