4th FW leadership recognizes outstanding performers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C --  Members of the 4th Fighter Wing gathered to honor their teammates who excelled throughout the year during the base's annual awards banquet Feb. 5.

Those recognized during the ceremony ranged from first term Airmen to those who retired from active-duty and accepted civilian jobs on the base. The annual award nominees were treated to a base tour the day before the event where they learned about F-15E Strike Eagle munitions, and the missions of those who work in the explosive ordinance disposal flight, the air traffic control tower, the fire department and the military working dog kennels.

The 4th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Patrick Doherty, presented each of the nominees with a medallion at the start of the evening to set them apart from their peers during the banquet.

"Everyone who was nominated is a winner," Colonel Doherty said. "You are all the back bone of this base, the best of the best here at Seymour."

When the evening's events concluded, 12 Airmen received the honor of being named the top achievers on the base.

"Receiving this level of recognition is such an honor," said Airman 1st Class Armelyn Braceros, the Airman of the Year and a 4th Medical Operations Squadron health services manager journeyman. "I feel extremely blessed and a little overwhelmed because winning this award was beyond my expectation. This simply proves that through hard work and determination, you'll be able to achieve anything you put your mind to."

Kimberly Huskins Webb, the Senior NAF Civilian of the Year and 4th FW library director, said she felt honored to be recognized for her dedication to her customers.

"As a former Air Force dependent, I truly believe in the mission of the library to meet the needs of dependents, active duty, retirees and students of this base," she said. "Even after being a librarian for more than 20 years, 17 years before coming here four years ago, I have never been more proud and dedicated to meeting the informational and recreational needs of such great people as those associated with the Air Force."

Mrs. Huskins Webb, who shares her award with her staff members, has overseen several projects to enhance the services and events for their customers.

"The three big programs we had during 2010 included a local author night in February, a professional story teller in June and another story teller for the children's Summer Reading Program celebration party in July," Mrs. Huskins Webb said. "More than 100 people attended the storytellers and approximately 40 people attended the author night. I don't think there has been an author night like we had with four local authors before, and it has been years since we have had any performers for the children."

Master Sgt. Wayne Powell, 4th Force Support Squadron force management operations flight chief, earned the Volunteer of the Year title. Sergeant Powell is a dedicated volunteer with a range of organizations including the N.C. State Prison system, the American Red Cross and JROTC. In addition, he traveled to Kentucky to help with a construction project, organized a coat drive and coordinates volunteers to feed hungry people.

"This award is special because volunteering is something I love to do," the Clovis, N.M. native said. "I appreciate the recognition but do not expect it."

Sergeant Powell encourages others to dedicate time to helping in the community, but to volunteer for the right reasons.

"Don't volunteer to win awards; do it because it means something to you," he said. "Awards will come and go, but the lives you change will last forever. Everyone needs a hand sometime in their life. If you are the one capable of giving it, why not? Sometimes that is all it takes to change a person's life."

Earning an award is not going to cause Airman Braceros to become complacent in her job.

"This encourages me to do so much more and to keep striving for even bigger and better things," the Honolulu native said. "I find it truly inspiring when my siblings tell me that I am one of their greatest role models and what I do inspires them to also work hard and keep aiming for success. It means the world to me knowing the fact that my family is extremely proud of what I do, and that they are there supporting me every step of the way."

Like the other award winners, Airman Braceros recognizes that she did not earn this award strictly on her own, that it took the support of those around her.

"It took a lot of sweat and hard work but ultimately, I would not have been able to accomplish as much as I did if it weren't for having supervisors who truly cared for their Airmen," she said. "Their mentorship and leadership inspired me to do many things that I would never have been able to do on my own. It is their unwavering support which helps me keep going and encourages me to continue to set positive examples to my fellow Airmen."

Congratulations to the 4th Fighter Wing annual award nominees and winners. The winners in each category are annotated in bold font.

Honor Guard Airman of the Year
Senior Airman James Scoggin, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron

Volunteer of the Year
Master Sgt. Wayne Powell, 4th FSS
Capt. Prichard Keely, 334th Fighter Squadron
Airman 1st Class Sarah Wopp, 4th MDOS

Junior Civilian of the Year
Valerie Owen, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Daniel Legg, 4th Comptroller Squadron
Deanna Lewis, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

Senior Civilian of the Year
Byron Barwick, 4th Maintenance Group
Jerald Hatcher, 4th Operations Support Squadron
Michael Blackburn, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron
Lyndon Johnson, 4th MDOS

Junior NAF Civilian of the Year
Janet Williams, 4th FSS

Senior NAF Civilian of the Year
Kim Huskins Webb, 4th FSS

Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class Armelyn Braceros, 4th MDOS
Airman 1st Class Matthew Williams, 4th Fighter Wing
Senior Airman Christopher Lyon, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Senior Airman Emily Bertini, 4th OSS
Senior Airman Dino Legg, 4th Security Forces Squadron

NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Ayana Hodges, 4th FSS
Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore, 4th FW
Tech. Sgt. Philip Dayton, 4th Maintenance Group
Tech. Sgt. Steven Coates, 4th Operations Group
Tech Sgt. Nina Anderson, 4th MDOS

SNCO of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. James Purkey, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Lafaunta Hampton, 4th CMS
Master Sgt. Bryon Power, 4th OG
Master Sgt. Talisha Virges, 4th Medical Support Squadron

First Sgt. of the Year
Master Sgt. Michael Wolfe, 4th CES
Master Sgt. Joe Cason, 4th AMXS
Master Sgt. Paul Money, 4th OG

CGO of the Year
1st Lt. Mark Honnen, 4th FSS
Capt. Michael Ahl, 4th FW
1st Lt. Brian Myers, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
Capt. Ryan Watson, 334th FS
Capt. Jordan Richardson, 4th MDOS

FGO of the Year
Lt. Col. James Howard, 336th Fighter Squadron
Maj. Kimberly Woolley, 4th MDOS