AFSOC honors Outstanding Airmen, civilians

  • Published
  • By Dawn Hart
  • Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
Air Force Special Operations Command leaders recognized the command's finest at a formal banquet here May 15.

The evening was the pinnacle event in a week that began with honorees receiving the key to the city from Fort Walton Beach Mayor, Mike Anderson, and included tours and briefings from around the base.

The banquet honored two AFSOC members who were awarded the 2014 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of officers and enlisted members who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership in their duty performance and personal conduct.

Master Sgt. Delorean Sheridan won the junior enlisted category. Sheridan is a combat control craftsman assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

Maj. Randall Harvey II won the junior officer category. Harvey is a flight commander with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the command's outstanding Airmen and civilians of the year:

Senior Airman Judd Rogers, Airman category, 551st Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Rogers is a special missions aviator instructor.

Sheridan, NCO category (Sheridan was a technical sergeant when submitted for this award and was step promoted in December.)

Master Sgt. Ronnie Brickey, senior NCO category, U. S. Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field. Brickey is an explosive ordnance disposal craftsman.

Master Sgt. Katherine Grabham, first sergeant category, 901st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field

Capt. Ben Self, company grade officer category, 321st Special Tactics Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England. Self is a special tactics officer.

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Marschall, enlisted individual reservist category, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field. Marschall is the assistant NCO in charge of squadron plans.

Capt. Stacie Carroll, officer individual reservist category, AFSOC, Hurlburt Field. Carroll is an AC-130 training officer in the aircrew training division.

Jose Altimirano, civilian category I, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon AFB. Altimirano is an engineering technician and computer-aid design drafting specialist.

Brandy Chavez, civilian category II, 27th SOCES, Cannon AFB. Chavez serves as the environmental element chief.

Shawn Cordaro, civilian category III, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, Cannon AFB. Cordaro is an aircraft machinist.

Awards were also presented to the Air Commando Association recipients from 2013.

Chief Master Sgt. Roland "Hap" Lutz Air Commando Medic of the Year - Tech. Sgt. George Gonzalez Jr., 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron

AFSOC Squadron of the Year - 33rd Special Operations Squadron

Senior Airman Julian Scholten ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) Commando of the Year - Staff Sgt. Candis Woods, 25th Intelligence Squadron

Commander's Leadership Awards:
AFSOC - Capt. Derek McCafferty and Staff Sgt. Edward Crowe
Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center - Capt. Joanna Zemek and Senior Airman Seung-Jae Oh
1st Special Operations Wing - Capt. Matthew Slack and Tech. Sgt. Lucas Barker
24th Special Operations Wing - Capt. Gregory Walsh and Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Whiddon
27th Special Operations Wing - Capt. Timothy Young and Tech. Sgt. Jacob Arnold
58th Special Operations Wing - Tech. Sgt. Seamus Feeley
193rd Special Operations Wing - Capt. Ryan Palombo and Staff Sgt. Nicolas Crouse
919th Special Operations Wing - Capt. Brandon Brown and Staff Sgt. Edward Ashford
352nd Special Operations Group - Capt. Alexander Dufaults and Tech. Sgt. Zachary Wahlers
353rd Special Operations Group - Capt. Adam G. Schmidt and Staff Sgt. Travis Simmons