Missouri Air National Guard names Airmen of the Year

By: John Quin
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -The Missouri National Guard recognized four outstanding Airmen during its December drill.

Master Sgt. Gary L. Chambers, of the 139th Airlift Wing, was named first sergeant of the year, Master Sgt. Curtis R. Hanock, of the 131st Logistics Readiness Squadron, senior noncommissioned officer of the year, Tech. Sgt. Frederick A. Osborn, of Joint Force Headquarters, was named noncommissioned officer of the year, and Senior Airman Joshua L. Brown, of the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was named Airman of the year.

State Command Chief Master Sgt. William Phillips said all 12 Airmen nominated for the honor deserve high praise for their accomplishments during the year.

"It was very difficult to make the selection this year," said Phillips, who has chaired the selection board for three years. "We have some very sharp, intelligent young men and women in the Missouri National Guard."

Missouri Air National Guard chief of staff Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Cotter also had high praise for the Airmen.

"This year's competition was extremely competitive as every single candidate was top notch," Cotter said. "Virtually any one of the candidates could easily have been selected to represent our state and would have done so in an exemplary manner. Quite simply this is not a competition in which we have winners and losers, because each candidate was a winner when he or she appeared before the chiefs at Missouri Air National Guard headquarters."

Each of the Airmen came to State Headquarters in Jefferson City after being selected by their units - the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, the 157th Air Operations Group in Jefferson Barracks, and Headquarters in Jefferson City.

Phillips said it would have been impossible to pull together without behind-the-scenes work.

"Master Sgt. Veronica Hoffman and Chief Master Sgt. Theresa Ferguson really deserve the credit for pulling this all together," Phillips said.

The Airmen who appeared in front of the board came from a wide range of backgrounds and skill sets. Master Sgt. Susan McGarry is a fulltime deputy airfield manager at Whiteman Air Force Base. Master Sgt. Karla Lewis is the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Air National Guard's Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear, and Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package. Staff Sgt. William Blankenship works in combat communications.

The Airmen ranged in years of service from only a couple years in some cases in the Airmen side, to more than 20 years in the other categories. The Airmen served in a wide range of operations - Hanock, who has 18 years of service, served in Operation Desert Storm. Many of the others served in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Most had participated in at least one state emergency duty, whether it was the June 2008 floods in Missouri or Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"All nominees can be tremendously proud of being selected to represent their wings and geographically separated units, and of their service and contribution to the Missouri National Guard, the United States Air Force, and the communities in which they live," Phillips said.

First Sergeant of the Year:
Master Sgt. Gary L. Chambers - 139th Airlift Wing

Senior Noncommissioned Officers of the Year:
Master Sgt. Karla G. Lewis - Joint Force Headquarters
Master Sgt. Curtis R. Hanock - 131st Logistics Readiness Squadron
Senior Master Sgt. Michael D. Baker - 157th Air Operations Group
Master Sgt. Susan E. McGarry - 139th Operations Support Flight

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year:
Tech Sgt. Frederick A. Osborn - Joint Force Headquarters
Staff Sgt. William H. Blankenship - 239th Combat Comm Squadron
Tech Sgt. Leslie T. Fambrough - 157th Air Operations Group
Staff Sgt. Charles O. Compton - 139th Airlift Wing

Airman of the Year:
Senior Airman Brandon K. Long - 131st Bomb Wing
Staff Sgt. Brian L. Long - 157th Air Operations Group
Senior Airman Joshua L. Brown - 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron