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NJ ANG Wing chooses their Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen
  • 108th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Master Sgt. Amanda L. Marotta serves with the 108th Civil Engineer Squadron as an emergency management specialist; Tech. Sgt. John C. Hoffecker is a senior intelligence analyst with the 204th Intelligence Squadron; and Senior Airman Tyshawn G. Jenkins works as a fuels systems technician with the 108th Maintenance Squadron.

What do they have in common? They were chosen as the 108th Wing's Airmen of the Year.

These individuals' skills, training and volunteerism epitomizes the 108th Wing.

According to 108th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Paul E. Novello, Marotta is a motivational leader, who transformed an inexperienced Emergency Management Shop into a premiere flight that was lauded by the Air Mobility Command inspectors during the Unit Effectiveness Inspection where the Wing received a highly effective rating. In addition, she was handpicked as the Ancillary Training Tiger Team subject matter expert. Marotta also works with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst units to improve emergency management capabilities base-wide.

Hoffecker, notes Lt. Col. Robert Kelly, the 204th Intelligence Squadron commander, was specifically chosen for a Title 10, active duty tour where he served as an intelligence instructor. During the tour, he trained 300 intelligence and security forces Airmen. He also served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 607th Air Operations Cell in Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian in South Korea. Finally, Hoffecker was chosen to develop the National Guard Bureau's 20 lesson, 40-hour anti-terrorism level II mobile training course, which filled a national level need for force protection training certification for the Air National Guard.

Maintenance Squadron commander Col. Steven F. Jamison said that Jenkins is an outstanding role model for peers and demonstrated his organizational skills by creating new safety books for all shops assigned to the Wing's Accessory Section. He assists in the training of newly assigned personnel and in retraining personnel. Jenkins was part of a group that created an annual confined space training program that emphasized emergency procedures.

In addition to these accomplishments, the Airmen embody the characteristics that define how the Air National Guard and specifically, the 108th is an integral part of the community.

Hoffecker volunteers with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs support program by driving five veterans who have no means of transportation to their appointments at VA hospitals.

Marotta was recognized during National Volunteer Week for dedicating more 100 hours to the Salvation Army of Mercer County.

Jenkins is a member of the Wing's Honor Guard, which is serves as a visible example of the Air Force in ceremonies ranging from change of commands to funerals for veterans.

They also represent what is unique to the Guard - a dedication to education.

Jenkins is working on his master of business administration degree. He currently has a 3.7 grade point average, all while at the same time passing the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test.

Marotta not only earned a bachelor's in work force education, but also made the dean's list with a 4.0 grade point average. She is currently working on her master's degree in homeland security. To top that off, she completed the senior non-commissioned officer correspondence course and was selected for in-residence at the Air Force SNCO Academy.

Hoffecker has four associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, the fourth being in intelligence studies. While attending the Defense Intelligence Agencies Counter Terrorism Analysis Course, he was the honor graduate.

These three individuals have set an impressive benchmark.

Congratulations Master Sgt. Marotta, Tech. Sgt. Hoffecker and Senior Airman Jenkins.