Shining a Spotlight on the 2018 Outstanding Airmen of the Year
Air Force Magazine Daily Report, 17 November 2018
Brian Everstine, Steve Hirsch, Amy McCullough, and Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory
The Air Force Association will recognize the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2018 on Sept. 17, during the opening night of its Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md. A total of 36 nominees were considered, and an Air Force selection board chose the 12 winners on the basis of leadership, job performance, and personal achievement. The Outstanding Airman of the Year program debuted at AFA's 10th annual National Convention in 1956, and the association has continued to shine a spotlight on the outstanding airmen from each major command every year since.
TSgt. April A. Spilde
Flight Chief/Security Forces Craftsman
30th Security Forces Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Home of Record: Minneapolis, MN
Sgt. April Spilde was instrumental to the Total Force success of the 58th Presidential Inauguration, dedicating 80 hours to training 90 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen as Ceremonial Guardsmen with the USAF Honor Guard. Spilde led a three-person mobile training team to the 156th Airlift Wing at Air Base Muniz, Puerto Rico, and established a fully funded base honor guard program including a budget increase of $10,000. As a Security Forces flight chief, Spilde led 135 airmen securing $10.2 billion in space launch assets and managed the flight schedule, logistics, and daily police operations defending 999 family houses, 2,100 facilities, and 15,000 personnel across a 99,000-acre installation. Spilde masterfully completed nine college classes and graduated cum laude, earning her bachelor’s degree in English. She graduated from the NCO Academy and was the recipient of the John L. Levitow leadership awards.
