9th AF recognizes outstanding performers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Fighter Wing hosted the 9th Air Force Outstanding Performers of the Year banquet here March 5.

The 9th AF includes units from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Langley AFB, Va., Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., Eglin AFB, Fla., Moody AFB, Ga., and Robins AFB, Ga.

The 2009 OPY banquet recognized 54 nominees for their exceptional performance throughout the year, but only eight took home the title of Outstanding Performer of the Year in their respective categories.

Congratulations to the following 9th AF Outstanding Performers of the Year:

Category I Civilian of the Year
Dixie Price, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB

Category II Civilian of the Year
Judith Croxton, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB

Airman of the Year
Staff Sgt. Joseph Aton, 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing, Moody, AFB

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Wayne Powell, 4th FW, Seymour Johnson AFB

Senior NCO of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Johnny Gavin, 93rd AGOW, Moody AFB

First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Michael Dyer, 633rd Air Base Wing, Langley AFB

Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Marcus Hutson, 93rd AGOW, Moody, AFB

Field Grade Officer of the Year
Maj. Mark Slaton, 93rd AGOW, Moody AFB

Each nominee was a winner before arriving here, as each earned the annual award for their respective squadrons, groups and wings.

"It's amazing what we ask our people to do anymore, and we don't even ask them, they just do it," said Maj. Gen. William Holland, 9th Air Force commander. "I really am in awe of the people in this room and the people who surround me every day, and who surround you every day. I have never been so proud to be associated with a group of people than I am in 9th Air Force and in our Air Force than I am tonight. You do yourself proud. You do the uniform proud. You do our institution proud and you do our nation proud."

The night's award winners will represent the 9th AF at the Air Combat Command Outstanding Performers of the Year banquet later this year.