And the winner is ...
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --
Preparations are underway for Eighth Air Force's 2008 Outstanding Airman of the Year Annual Awards Banquet scheduled for Mar. 12.
Each year 8th Air Force and its subordinate units submit their winners to compete for the top spot in Airman, non-commissioned officer, senior non-commissioned officer, first sergeant, company grade officer and two civilian categories.
"What a great opportunity we have to recognize the exceptional performers throughout the 8th Air Force," said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Kabalan, 8th Air Force command chief.
The ceremony is meant to recognize individual nominees from each unit and to award top honors in each of the respective groups.
"As a nominee, they should be looking forward to being recognized as the top of their designated category," said Tech. Sgt. Neil Heerdink, lead event coordinator. "This is all about them and to reward them."
The sergeant is heading a committee, which was organized to coordinate and conduct the entire event.
"This year is going to be a success because of the professionals on the committee," Sgt. Heerdink said. "Members on the committee are the pinnacles of their career field and are committed to nothing but perfection."
This year's ceremony promises to follow in the success of the previous year, Chief Kabalan added, "We're rolling out the red carpet again."
"Because the previous year's ceremony was such a success, we are trying to piggy-back on that to meet and exceed what was done last year," Sgt. Heerdink added.
Included in the ceremony events will be a fallen comrade' s ceremony, nominee recognition, and a special guest speaker.
"We are fortunate to have Air Combat Command Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Sullens, as our guest speaker this year," said Master Sgt. Margo Miller, welcome committee coordinator and master of ceremony. "He brings with him a breadth of experience as the second most tenured chief master sergeant in our Air Force."
Each year 8th Air Force and its subordinate units submit their winners to compete for the top spot in Airman, non-commissioned officer, senior non-commissioned officer, first sergeant, company grade officer and two civilian categories.
"What a great opportunity we have to recognize the exceptional performers throughout the 8th Air Force," said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Kabalan, 8th Air Force command chief.
The ceremony is meant to recognize individual nominees from each unit and to award top honors in each of the respective groups.
"As a nominee, they should be looking forward to being recognized as the top of their designated category," said Tech. Sgt. Neil Heerdink, lead event coordinator. "This is all about them and to reward them."
The sergeant is heading a committee, which was organized to coordinate and conduct the entire event.
"This year is going to be a success because of the professionals on the committee," Sgt. Heerdink said. "Members on the committee are the pinnacles of their career field and are committed to nothing but perfection."
This year's ceremony promises to follow in the success of the previous year, Chief Kabalan added, "We're rolling out the red carpet again."
"Because the previous year's ceremony was such a success, we are trying to piggy-back on that to meet and exceed what was done last year," Sgt. Heerdink added.
Included in the ceremony events will be a fallen comrade' s ceremony, nominee recognition, and a special guest speaker.
"We are fortunate to have Air Combat Command Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Sullens, as our guest speaker this year," said Master Sgt. Margo Miller, welcome committee coordinator and master of ceremony. "He brings with him a breadth of experience as the second most tenured chief master sergeant in our Air Force."
