News

USAFE-AFAFRICA announces 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2023

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Alexandra Longfellow
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
May 30, 2024
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Winners of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year pose for a group photo after a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 14, 2024. The winners took a tour of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, participated in a professional development seminar and a question and answer panel with local command chiefs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)

U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa proudly unveiled the names of their 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2023 in a ceremony held at Ramstein Air Base, May 14.

These individuals were chosen for their outstanding leadership, exemplary job performance, active participation in their communities, and remarkable personal achievements.

An Air Force selection board convened at the Air Force Personnel Center to deliberate over 36 nominees from various commands, reporting units, field operating agencies, and Headquarters Air Force, ultimately selecting the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for the Air Force.

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Randy Kwiatkowski, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa command chief, speaks to the winners of the major command 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2023 during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 14, 2024. The winners took a tour of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, participated in a professional development seminar and a question and answer panel with local command chiefs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)

The USAFE-AFAFRICA 12 Out-standing Airmen of the Year for 2023:

Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Leslie Brewster, 48th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom

​​Non-commissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Geraldine Schwartz, 48th Force Support Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom

Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. Blake Fagan, 435th Contingency Response Squadron, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base

First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Mark Silva, 86th Mission Support Group, 86th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base

Base Honor Guard Member of the Year: Staff Sgt. Kirsten Minus, 52nd Maintenance Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base

Base Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year: Staff Sgt. Gladiola Hamid, 786th Force Support Squadron, 86th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base

Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. James Hughes, 701st Munitions Support Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base

Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Sylvester Fernandez de Castro, 420th Air Base Squadron, Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom

Civilian Category I of the Year: Mr. Orhan Bayik, 39th Medical Group, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik, Turkey

Civilian Category II of the Year (Non-Supervisory): Ms. Jara Zanut, 31st Contracting Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano, Italy

Civilian Category II of the Year (Supervisory): Mr. Wolfgang Diehl, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron, 86th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base

Civilian Category III of the Year (Non-Supervisory): Mr. Skylar Peterson, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom

Civilian Category III of the Year (Supervisory): Mrs. Johanna Smedley, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom

Civilian Category IV of the Year (Non-Supervisory): Mr. Benjamin R. Ritzema, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection (A4), United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Ramstein

Civilian Category IV of the Year (Supervisory): Mrs. Jennifer Gerena, 423rd Force Support Squadron, 501 Combat Support Wing, Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom

Key Spouse of the Year: Dr. Camille Naaktgeboren, 86th Operations Support Squadron, 86th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Winners of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year receive a brass-plated eagle as their award during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 14, 2024. The winners took a tour of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, participated in a professional development seminar and a question and answer panel with local command chiefs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The winners of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year tour a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 14, 2024. Following the tour, the winners participated in a professional development seminar and a question and answer panel with local command chiefs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)
« Previous × Next »