Delaware Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year for FY 2011

Published Sept. 27, 2012
By 020912

NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Delaware -- We are pleased to announce the five Delaware Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year for FY 2011, and share their photos.

Official Air Force portrait images, in high-resolution JPEG format and captioned, are available for download on the unit website, www.166aw.ang.af.mil.

The five Airmen of the Year selections, chosen annually by a board of high-ranking senior non-commissioned officers led by the Delaware ANG state command chief master sergeant, represent the highest honors bestowed by the Delaware ANG to recognize the contributions and achievements of the nearly 800-member enlisted force. Three of the annual awards are chosen from 12 quarterly award winners selected earlier in the year for the Airman, NCO and Senior NCO categories. Two categories - Honor Guard member of the Year, and First Sergeant of the Year - are selected just once a year. The Airmen were recognized earlier this year at the Delaware ANG Enlisted Recognition Banquet held in Newark, Del.

The Airmen all reside less than an hour's drive from the base, and most live in the local area. Four of the Airmen of the Year award recipients reside in New Castle Co., Delaware (in Middletown, Elsmere, Newark and New Castle), and one resides in nearby Chester Co., Pa. (town of Nottingham).

All five Airmen have volunteered for overseas deployments, and four of the five have deployed overseas for a total of 11 missions, to include eight deployments to combat zones from Iraq to Afghanistan.

Each Airman has contributed significant volunteer time with their local community in a number of non-profit organizations, many assisting area youth.

Higher education is a common pursuit of the award recipients; combined, the five Airmen have earned one bachelor's degree and two Community College of the Air Force degrees, with work underway on three more bachelor's degrees and two more CCAF degrees. The five Airmen have also completed eight military leadership schools.

The five Delaware Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year for FY 2011, by category:

Honor Guard Member of the Year: Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lee, 166th Maintenance Squadron, a resident of New Castle, Del. (category applies for all enlisted Honor Guard members in the Delaware ANG)

First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. John Young, 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, a resident of Nottingham, Pa. (category applies for all enlisted first sergeants in the Delaware ANG)

Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Desmond Overton, 166th Security Forces Squadron, a resident of Middletown, Del. (category applies for all enlisted ranks from airman through senior airman)

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Staff Sgt. Jomarr Hatten, 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, a resident of Newark, Del. (category applies for all enlisted ranks from staff sergeant through technical sergeant)

Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. Samuel Lewis, 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, a resident of Elsmere, Del. (category applies for all enlisted ranks from master sergeant through chief master sergeant)

Details for each Airman of the Year:

Honor Guard member of the Year is Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lee from the 166th Maintenance Squadron, a six-year member of the Air National Guard and a three-year member of the Delaware ANG:

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey K. Lee, a resident of New Castle, Delaware, joined the Delaware Air National Guard in 2009, and is an aerospace ground equipment technician in the 166th Maintenance Group, part of the 166th Airlift Wing, located at the New Castle ANG Base, Del.

Sergeant Lee was born in New York City and attended Aviation H.S. where he studied aerodynamics and federal aviation regulations. He spent most of his adult years as a restaurant manager in N.Y.C. until joining the Air National Guard in 2006, when he enlisted in the New Jersey ANG with the 177th Fighter Wing's Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight. He transferred to the Delaware ANG in 2009.

He twice deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and spearheaded implementation of a program to track distribution and accountability of over 2,000 tools.

Sergeant Lee performs his responsibilities as a technician while he is also an active member of the 166th AW Honor Guard. As a Honor Guard member, Sgt. Lee has supported funerals, parades, banquets, color guard and other ceremonies throughout the year as well as being a host of many other ANG and Joint (Air and Army Guard) Honor Guard Details, fostered a good working relationship with the Honor Guard Members of the Delaware Army National Guard.

Sergeant Lee has completed Airman Leadership School, is currently in upgrade training for his Air Force seven-level skill competency in his career field, and is pursuing completion of his Community College of the Air Force degree.

First Sergeant of the Year is Master Sgt. Francis John Young from the 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, a 27-year member of the military and a 23-year member of the Delaware Air National Guard:

Master Sergeant John Young, a resident of Nottingham, Pa. (Chester Co.), joined the Delaware Air National Guard in 1989, and is the First Sergeant for 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, part of the 166th Airlift Wing, located at the New Castle ANG Base, Del.

Sergeant Young graduated from Avon Grove H.S., in West Grove, Pa. He joined the active duty Air Force in 1985 and spent two years at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa as a Munitions Maintenance and Bomb Repair Specialist, then transferred to Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome, N.Y. and worked in nuclear weapons storage transporting Air Launch Cruise Missiles.

In 1989, Sgt. Young joined the Delaware ANG through the Palace Chase program, becoming a traditional fuels specialist and was assigned as a fuels distribution operator. He was promoted to the fuels distribution supervisor managing all flight line refueling operations for the base. He deployed to Operation Coronet Oak in Panama in 1993, to Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait in 2002, and to support Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003 and again in 2007. He also deployed as the unit's First Sergeant of more than 90 personnel for Operation Senior Scout in 2010.

Sergeant Young completed the petroleum logistics management course, the fuels accounting course, the fuels laboratory course, the night vision instructor course, the First Sergeant Academy, the NCO Academy and the Senior NCO Academy. In 1999 he became the fuels flight operations supervisor and became a full-time military technician. He was then selected as the 166th LRS First Sergeant.

During the 2010 Logistics Compliance Assessment Program, Sgt. Young ensured all areas under his supervision were in adherence to all Air Force standards, with his unit receiving zero defects, contributing to the grade of Outstanding, and the fuels team received an award from the LCAP Assessment Team. During the 2010 Air Force Compliance Inspection, Sgt. Young again ensured that all checklist items under his responsibility met or exceeded standards contributing to the grade of Outstanding.

Sergeant Young's involvement with his community includes his support of the "Home of the Brave" homeless shelter for veterans in Milford, Del., and the USO's "Miles for Minutes" program in Dover.

Sergeant Young's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with two OLCs, the Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two OLCs, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one OLC, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven OLCs, the National Defense Service Medal with one device, the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long tour Ribbon, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border.

Airman of the Year is Senior Airman Desmond Overton from the 166th Security Forces Squadron, a four-year member of the Delaware ANG:

Senior Airman Desmond Overton, a resident of Middletown, Delaware, enlisted with the Delaware Air National Guard in 2008, and is a security forces journeyman in the 166th Security Forces Squadron, part of the 166th Airlift Wing, located at the New Castle ANG Base, Del.

He graduated in 2003 from William Penn H.S., New Castle, Delaware. He is attending Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware as a junior. He is pursuing dual majors for his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science, has also earned 49 credits toward his Community College of the Air Force degree in criminal justice, and has completed Airman Leadership School.

Airman Overton is a traditional, part-time member of the unit, although he has worked in temporary state and active-guard and reserve (AGR) positions with the squadron since his graduation from technical school. His duties include providing armed response to installation emergencies, entry control, resource security, air base defense, armament and equipment, and enforcing standards of conduct, discipline, and adherence to laws and directives.

In 2010, after graduating from the security forces technical school, Airman Overton volunteered for and was selected as alternate for the 166th SFS six-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and participated in the Evasion and Conduct after Capture course at Fairchild AFB, Wash.

Airman Overton aided the 166th SFS in preparation for the 2010 Air Mobility Command Compliance Inspection, assisting the pass and registration office and the information security program manager; his contributions significantly impacted the success of the inspection.

Airman Overton has provided security of the Delaware ANG installation for many distinguished visitors to include the President and Vice President of the United States and the governor of Delaware. He volunteered to provide humanitarian assistance for weather emergencies in the community such as heavy snow in 2010 and Hurricane Irene in 2011, and escorted and provided security for the 2011 Special Olympics Delaware Plane Pull, preventing safety mishaps and helping raise $30,000 for its cause.

Airman Overton assisted in 166th AW recruiting efforts; he convinced one person to enlist, led a team of 14 high school students and their parents around the base to demonstrate the benefits and privileges of joining the unit, and offered to spend over eight hours, including personal time, to discuss the Delaware ANG with students from two high schools in Delaware. He was asked to assist with the base's recruiting office because of his persistence and is currently completing an active-duty tour there.

Airman Overton volunteers his time and money into the Delaware community; he contributed over 480 hours in 2011 to help with the Police Athletic League of Delaware's Youth Center to inspire, tutor and mentor Delaware's youth and deter juvenile crime, participates in environmental clean-up and fundraising activities with PAL, and donated $420 to PAL to sponsor children that want to play on sports teams, but cannot afford equipment.

NCO of the Year is Staff Sgt. Jomarr Hatten from the 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, an eight-year member of the Delaware Air National Guard:

Staff Sergeant Jamarr Hatten, a resident of Newark, Delaware, joined the Delaware Air National Guard in 2004, and is a supply management craftsman assigned to the material management section in the 166th Logistic Readiness Squadron, part of the 166th Airlift Wing, located at the New Castle ANG Base, Del.

He graduated in 2001 from William Penn H.S, New Castle, Delaware where he lettered in football and track and field. Sgt. Hatten attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore majoring in Construction Management and later transferred to Delaware State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Additionally, Sgt. Hatten has achieved enough credits for a Community College of the Air Force degree in Logistics, and has graduated from Airman Leadership School.

Sergeant Hatten enlisted in the Delaware ANG in 2004, and has been a traditional member for eight years. Sgt. Hatten has material management duties that include keeping inventory; monitoring, assigning locations for mission readiness spares package assets for C-130 aircraft and monitoring and ensuring proper completion of supply logistics. In addition, Sgt. Hatten holds many additional duties in the asset management flight to include to functional check monitor, electrostatic sensitive device monitor and alternate shelf life monitor.

In 2005 Sgt. Hatten worked in the augmentee program, assisting the 166th Security Forces Squadron with base security from 2005-2006. In 2005 he volunteered to assist the state efforts to collect and transport thousands of gallons of water from schools throughout the state of Delaware to be flown on C-130s in response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 Sgt. Hatten volunteered as a senior airman to go on his first Aerospace Expeditionary Force 30-day mission to support Operation Enduring Freedom to Bagram, Afghanistan. In 2009 Sgt. Hatten volunteered for duty in Washington, D.C. and was deputized as a member of the Special Assignment as crowd control with Delaware ANG's 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron in support of President Obama's Inauguration. In 2009 Sgt. Hatten volunteered for his second AEF deployment to Bagram and was NCOIC in the Supply Section under maintenance to support C-130s for OEF. In 2011, he volunteered for his third deployment as part of a larger wing support for OEF, again to Bagram, Afghanistan. Sgt. Hatten volunteered in 2011 as a member of the Delaware National Guard's Quick Reaction Force on stand-by duty to be dispatched in response to Hurricane Irene. Sgt. Hatten was recognized by the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander as one of the top five C-130 unit top performers while deployed in Bagram. He was part of the main supply support function that towed damaged aircraft after an attack and prepared them for aircraft battle damage repair. Sgt. Hatten contributed greatly to the success of the 166 AW by preparing for an Operational Readiness Inspection assisting the mobility section in base supply.

Sergeant Hatten has been an a member of the 166th AW and 166th LRS Junior Enlisted Council, providing input to support Airmen, an active participant with Special Olympics Delaware and the SODE Plane Pull fundraiser, was Airman of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter in FY 2005, NCO of the 3rd Quarter for FY 2011 and NCO of the Year for FY 2011. He is also one of the LRS sponsors for new Airman making the transition into supply management.

His military awards include the Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and three oak leaf clusters.

Senior NCO of the Year is Master Sgt. Samuel Lewis from the 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, a 13-year member of the Delaware Air National Guard:

Master Sergeant Samuel Lewis, a resident of Elsmere, Delaware, joined the Delaware Air National Guard in 1999, and is an air transportation craftsman assigned to the small air terminal in the 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron, part of the 166th Airlift Wing, located at the New Castle ANG Base, Del.

He graduated with a Master of Technology Diploma in 1999 from Polytech H.S., Woodside, Delaware. He lettered in wrestling and became the team captain his junior year. He served as an officer in the National Honor Society, was a member of the percussion section in the marching band, and was a state level winner at the Science Olympiad.

Sergeant Lewis enlisted with the Delaware ANG in 1999 at 17 years of age while still a high school senior. He was a traditional member for eight years and became a federal technician in 2007.

Sergeant Lewis attended the University of Delaware and later Wilmington University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and earned his Community College of the Air Force degree in Transportation. He has also completed Airman Leadership School, the NCO Academy and the Senior NCO Academy.

Sergeant Lewis is the unit's air terminal supervisor and his duties include supervision of the individual work sections and monitoring upgrade training and ancillary requirements of 43 personnel in his unit. In addition, Sgt. Lewis holds many additional duties to include material handling equipment trainer, technical order custodian, HAZMAT inspector, joint inspector, unit joint inspection program manager, container delivery function trainer and marshalling yard NCOIC, wing pallet and net monitor, physical training leader, unit fitness program manager, air drop rigger, joint airdrop inspector, drop zone officer, malfunction officer, and joint precision air drop program manager.

In 2010 Sgt. Lewis was one of two Delaware ANG members handpicked by wing leadership to receive Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training. He used these methodologies to advance state strategic goals in the continuous process improvement program.

Sergeant Lewis has volunteered for numerous assignments at home and abroad. In 1999, Sgt. Lewis volunteered for and underwent training to become a member of the Civil Disturbance Task Force at the Governor's employment in response to Y2K. In 2001, he volunteered to augment the 166th Security Forces Squadron and provide security of the Delaware ANG installation in response to the attacks of September 11th. In 2004, he volunteered and was selected to deploy with the 166th Aerial Port Flight for a 358 day mobilization attached to Dover AFB, Delaware, and forward deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany and Balad AB, Iraq in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. In 2005 he volunteered and assisted with the deployment of humanitarian assistance in response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2007 he volunteered to become a member of the State Radiological Emergency Preparedness Air Teams and later a field ingestion team leader participating in the FEMA graded exercises contributing to the overall grade of excellent in each in 2009. In 2009 he volunteered for duty in Washington D.C. and was deputized as a member of the Special Police in support of President Obama's Inauguration. In 2011 he volunteered as the NCOIC of the Delaware National Guard's Quick Reaction Force on duty to be dispatched in response to Hurricane Irene. He has also volunteered many times in support of the Vice President's arrivals and departures to the New Castle ANG Base, Delaware.

Sergeant Lewis contributed to the success of the 166th AW during HQ Air Mobility Command inspections. In 2004 he was the lead joint inspector during the Expeditionary Readiness Inspection at Ramstein AB contributing to the grade of Excellent. In 2009 he was the lead container delivery function trainer and marshalling yard NCIOC, contributing to a grade of Excellent during the initial response, a grade of Outstanding for the small air terminal, and an overall grade of Excellent. Sgt. Lewis was recognized by the Inspector General as an Exceptional Performer both as an individual and as a member of the aerial port operations team. During the 2010 Logistics Compliance Assessment Program he ensured all areas under his supervision were in adherence to all Air Force standards, receiving zero defects and contributing to the grade of Excellent, and he was named to the LCAP assessment team's honor roll. During the 2010 Compliance Inspection he ensured that all checklist items under his responsibility met or exceeded standards contributing to the grade of Excellent and was one of four Outstanding Performers coined by the Inspector General. Because of his attention to detail and proven performance, he was recommended to the 177th Fighter Wing, based in Atlantic City, N.J., to assist in training their personnel in preparation for their HQ Air Combat Command Operational Readiness Inspection. He trained wing members in cargo build-up, container delivery function processes and joint inspection, personally qualified three personnel to become joint inspectors, participated in two exercises and ultimately augmented the 177th during their inspection leading to the overall grade of Excellent. He was recognized with the I.G.'s Superior Team Award as a member of the container delivery function joint inspection team. In appreciation for his efforts, he was given an incentive flight in a 177th FW F-16 Falcon.

Sergeant Lewis has participated with Special Olympics Delaware and the SODE Plane Pull, and is a volunteer member of the Elsmere Fire Department and a Big Brothers mentor. He scored an excellent on his Air Force fitness assessment for the past five years, and as an amateur natural bodybuilder he represented the United States as a member of the American team at the 2009 World Amateur Championships in Doha, Qatar where he placed eighth in the world in his weight class.

He received the Unit Career Advisor of the Year award for 2003, the S.B.I. Duncan Leadership award in 2005, and was selected as NCO of the Quarter for 2nd Quarter FY 2008, Senior NCO of the Quarter for 4th Quarter FY 2011, and Senior NCO of the Year for FY 2011.

His military awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border.

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