USAFE’s finest honored

***image1***U.S. Air Forces in Europe recognized seven standouts from across the command at its Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet April 26.

Out of 77 nominees from across Europe, USAFE’s best for 2007 are:

• Airman of the Year – Senior Airman Alicia Goetschel, 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
• NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Larnell Smith, 3rd Air Force A4 Directorate, Ramstein
• Senior NCO of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Timothy McLaughlin, USAFE A7 Directorate, Ramstein
• First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Kevin Drake, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
• Category 1 Civilian of the Year: Jeananne Creager, 48th Mission Support Group, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
• Category 2 Civilian of the Year: Barbra Langmaid, 65th Air Base Wing, Lajes Field, Azores
• Company Grade Officer: Capt. Ryan Crowley, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
The enlisted award recipients were chosen from more than 25,000 fellow Airmen across the command, while the civilians competed among approximately 15,000 of their colleagues, and the company grade officers competed against more than 2,000 fellow officers.

“These award recipients represent USAFE’s best,” said USAFE Command Chief Pamela Derrow. “Every day, across the globe, USAFE Airmen help showcase America’s image of strength, freedom and hope.  Congratulations and thank you to the winners and all 77 nominees.”

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

The guest speakers at the banquet were Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm W. McVicar Jr., director, Enlisted Heritage Research Institite, College for Enlisted Professional Military Education, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala.; and Airman 1st Class Ceridwyn A. Preston, an information manager from 3rd Air Force, Ramstein.

The theme for this year’s banquet was the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.