USAFE hosts 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet

U.S. Air Forces in Europe recognized seven standouts from across the
command at the 2009 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet April 2.

From 86 award nominees selected from among nine wings, two numbered Air Forces and the USAFE headquarters staff, USAFE’s top Airmen are:

Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Leonel Halley, 86th Security Forces Squadron, Ramstein.

Non-commissioned Officer of the Year: Staff Sgt. Brandon Krueger, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Ramstein.

Senior NCO of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Steven Higgins, 48th Communications Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

First Sergeant of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Derick Stepp, 86th Maintenance Squadron, Ramstein.

Category 1 Civilian of the Year: Fabiola Flores, 100th Comptroller Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.

Category 2 Civilian of the Year: Dieter Flachsland, 435th Construction and Training Squadron, Ramstein.

Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Ronnie Walden, 31st Force Support Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Fifty-one enlisted nominees were selected from more than 22,000 enlisted Airmen across USAFE, while 22 civilians were nominated from more than 1,300 of their peers, and 13 CGOs were nominated from nearly 3,200 fellow officers.

“These award recipients represent USAFE’s best,” said Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief. “USAFE Airmen demonstrate their dedication and can-do attitude every day in support of operations both here in the EUCOM theater and in support of overseas contingency operations. And none of them did it alone. They each rely on a support network of family, friends, co-workers and their base support structure to continue to showcase America’s image of strength, freedom and hope. Congratulations to each of the winners and all 86 nominees, and thank you for helping USAFE ensure freedom’s future.”

USAFE commander Gen. Roger A. Brady was the guest speaker for the banquet and congratulated the nominees on their accomplishments and thanked them for their service to the nation.

General Brady also recognized the supervisors and commanders who ensured their people received the recognition they deserved and thanked the families for the support they provide to the nominees.

The award recipients will now compete for Air Force-level honors.