FOR -- IMMEDIATE -- RELEASE
NEW CASTLE - Five Airmen, named below, have been selected in the Delaware Air National Guard out of their 1,000 members as the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for FY 2009 in five categories.
The five Airmen selected are residents of Bear, Del. 19701, Hockessin, Del. 19707, Newark, Del. 19702, Smyrna, Del. 19977, and West Grove, Pa. 19390.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for individual or group photography, and radio newspaper or TV interviews. Telephone interviews will be arranged upon request. All five Airmen of the Year will be present, along with senior leaders. Please call ahead to Public Affairs at (302) 593-2126 if attending. Address: 2600 Spruance Drive, New Castle, DE 19720-1615. Airmen will gather in Headquarters, Delaware ANG.
Delaware ANG Command Chief Master Sgt. Holly Morris, who is in charge of the annual Airmen of the Year selection process, said, "We are extremely proud to tell our community about these five Airmen who strive for excellence in their military career, and how this committed service extends into their off-base and civilian lives. These five individuals epitomize teamwork, mission accomplishment and character, and each has a unique career background that stood out in the minds of the selection committee."
The award winners in the three categories of Airman of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year were selected from four quarterly award winners in each category.
The award winners in the two categories of First Sergeant of the Year and Honor Guard Member of the Year were selected from direct nominations reviewed by to the selection committee.
All five award winners will next represent Delaware in the national level competitive selection process to be held in March to include all 54 Air National Guard units, representing all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. One award winner in each category will then represent the ANG at the Air Force-wide completion where 12 award winners will be named from all Air Force commands, separate operating agencies, direct reporting units, the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, the Outstanding Airmen of the Year will be honored at the Delaware Air National Guard's Enlisted Recognition Banquet to be held at The Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club in Newark, Del.
On Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 2, individual and group high-resolution photos of each of the five award winners, along with detailed information about their achievements and individual biographies, will be posted on
http://www.166aw.ang.af.mil, the web site of the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard.
OUTSTANDING AIRMAN OF THE YEA R AWARD WINNERS by category, with rank, full name, unit and hometown:
Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Benjamin Fileti, 166th Maintenance Squadron; resident of Hockessin, DE, zip code 19707
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Tracy Ashman, 166th Force Support Squadron; resident of Bear, DE, zip code 19701
Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Patrina Obey, 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron; resident of Smyrna, DE, zip code 19977
First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Glenn Davis, 166th Civil Engineer Squadron; resident of West Grove, PA, zip code 19390
Honor Guard Member of the Year: Senior Airman Joel Miller, 166th Maintenance Squadron; resident of Newark, DE, zip code 19702
The Delaware Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force with nearly 1,100 positions under Command of the Governor of Delaware, or the President of the United States when mobilized. The Delaware ANG has been serving Delaware and the United States of America since 1946, and is part of the Delaware National Guard.
This release is in the public domain, and any part may be used as written.
Contact: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey
Public Affairs Specialist
166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard
Cell 302-593-2126, or Office 302-323-3369
Release No. 2010-01-002
January 29, 2010
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