Annual Awards Ceremony - 349th Air Mobility Wing takes time out to honor it's own

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cindy Alejandrez
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It's not the Academy Awards, but something close to it for the Airmen of the 349th Air Mobility Wing who gathered to honor nominees and award winners during the 2012 Annual Awards Ball held at the Delta Breeze Club on March 23.

The nominees were joined by more than 200 Airmen, civilians and distinguished guests, all a part of the 349th AMW family. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the work accomplished during the previous year, and most importantly to highlight the individual endeavors of those who went above and beyond to make a positive impact in their work areas and ensure mission readiness.

Guests were treated to the motivational insights of guest speaker, retired Master Sgt. Roger Gray, who talked about his career in the Air Force, as a firefighter with the City of Stockton, and as a volunteer in his community. The son of a Tuskegee Airman Red Tail pilot, he stressed the importance of service, not just in the military but throughout one's life.
After Gray's speech, the winners were awarded by Col. Matthew Burger, 349th AMW Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Sandra Santos, 349th AMW Command Chief. The first to be awarded was Tech. Sgt. Michelle Shutler, who earned the title of Recruiter of the Year. Next, Master Sgt. Nelson Almanzor, with the 349th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, received the James Ernest Award for Best Honor Guardsman of the Year.

Following those awards, Senior Airman John Vergara, who is part of the 349th Civil Engineering Squadron, was named Airman of the Year. Tech. Sgt. David Nguyen with the 82nd Aerial Port Squadron earned the title of Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Master Sgt. Emmanuel Amigleo, with the 349th AMDS, who was unavailable, was named the Senior Non-Commissioned Office of the Year. Master Sgt. Roderick D. Lee, with the 349th Medical Squadron received the award for First Sergeant of the Year and Capt. Shane Lynch with the 349th CES, was named Company Grade Officer of the Year.

The first civilian honored during the night was Ms. Marceline Thomas, with the 349th Force Support Squadron who earned the Civilian of the Year award in the first category, but was also unavailable to attend the ceremony. Ms. Teresa Serrano, part of the 45th Aerial Port Squadron, earned the Civilian of the Year award for the second category.

After the awards were handed out, guests stayed to congratulate winners, take photographs and dance. Senior Master Sgt. Alex Brown, who helped narrate the event said, "Overall, I think the event was a great hit. The wing participation was at an all time high and everyone enjoyed themselves. Recognizing our Airmen is priority and anytime we get a chance to
do it is great!"