Air Force announces the Outstanding Airmen for 2025 ... includes two Defenders!!

Air Force announces the Outstanding Airmen for 2025 ... includes two Defenders!!
Published Aug. 19, 2025, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VA (AFNS) -- 

Air Force officials selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2025.

This year, the Air Force enhanced the program to more accurately recognize the exceptional contributions of its enlisted members.

The redesign places a greater emphasis on individual merit. This selection process enables the Air Force to identify and celebrate the most outstanding Airmen, noncommissioned officers and senior NCOs across active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

Nominees participated in a comprehensive three-day assessment and selection event. This experience included an in-person board interview, supplementing the traditional records-only review.

The Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

Master Sgt. Aimee F. Pascas, 110th Wing, Battle Creek ANGB, MI

Duty Title: Chief of Information Protection
Organization: 110th Wing Information Protection Office, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
Home of Record: Brooklyn, Mich.
Master Sergeant Pascas demonstrated her expertise and innovative spirit throughout 2024. She led a revolutionary child care beta test and hosted the CMSAF, resulting in a scalable ANG-wide program. Pascas overhauled her wing’s security policies and built an information protection program, contributing to an “Effective” Unit Inspection rating. Selected by DAF leadership, she served as the CMSAF’s Special Projects Officer, managing a $10,000 budget and leading 46 volunteers to ensure a seamless transition between the 19th and 20th CMSAFs. Finally, as Anti-Terrorism Program Manager, she chaired a threat working group in response to local risks, safeguarding 950 wing members and mission continuity. Handpicked for the First Sergeant 2.0 Course, she authored 36 blocks of instruction, standardizing training for 863 first sergeants and reshaping enlisted development across the Air Force.

Master Sgt James B. Vetter, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL

Duty Title: Action Officer
Organization: Hq. Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Home of Record: Aurora, Colo.
He actualized the command’s counter-drone initiative, fielding 24 systems to protect $300 billion in assets and 1 million people across nine combatant commands. He led 386 Airmen through more than 13,000 security hours across 5,000 sorties and built critical staging points supporting crisis response for the Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. withdrawal from Niger, and Haiti unrest. His efforts enabled movement of 15.4 million pounds of cargo, 1,700 personnel, and $60 million in relief, plus an evacuation plan for 180,000 Americans. Vetter pioneered AMC’s first organic cargo aircraft counter-drone capability, securing $332,000 in funding. He also served as an inspiration to others, leading volunteer events that raised more than $50,000 for outreach programs and earning his master’s in leadership. His efforts inspired his team to collectively complete a grand total of 228 credits and six degrees.)

2025 CONGRATS are in order ….

2025 CONGRATS are in order ….

AFSFA maintains three scholarship funds awarding up to ten (10) $500.00 grants yearly. These scholarships are available to all enlisted, active duty, ANG and AF Res Security Forces members in the rank of E-6 and below and their spouses. Filing period is 1 June through 31 July every year and the announcement and forms are found at the AFSFA web site: www.afsfaonline.com

AFSFA congratulates the following recipients:

2025 Charles J. Heubusch Scholarships recipients are: (12 total apps)
- SrA Corey L. Ruffule, 821st SFS, Pituffik SB, Greenland
- SSgt Hayde S. Cristan, 316th SFG, Joint Base Andrews, MD

2025 Security Forces Foundation Scholarship recipients are: (23 total apps)
- TSgt Meagan R. Hillengas, 88th SFS, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- SrA Daniel A. Talbot, 118th SFS, Berry Field (ANG), TN
- SrA Christopher L. Bryant, 927th SFS, MacDill AFB (AFRC), FL
- SrA Joel T. Wall, 8th SFS, Kunsan AB, ROK
- SSgt Destini I. Chambers, 316th SFG, Joint Base Andrews, MD
- SSgt Hunter M. Dietrich, 6th SFS, MacDill AFB, FL

2025 Schlussel Family Scholarship recipients are: (3 total apps)
- SSgt Katlynn G. Schoch, 627th SFS, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
- SrA Stephanie Y. Choa, 6th SFS, MacDill AFB, FL

Congratulations to the 2025 BGen Allen J. Jamerson AFSFA Chapters of the Year:
- Chapter of the Year: Ron Blatman Evergreen Chapter

- Runner-Up Chapter of the Year:   Billie Renfroe Chapter

Congratulations to the 2025 BGen James M. Shamess AFSFA Writing Award:
- Winner is “Defense Force Training Initiative – A Warriors ETHOS” by SMSgt Brad M. Gaudet and SMSgt Joseph A. Sewell of the 88 SFS and published in the April – June 2025 Security Forces Magazine
- Honorable mention goes to the runner up article, “My Path to Being the First Woman on Beale’s Tactical Response Team” by A1C Janae Whaley of the 9th SFS and published in the October – December 2024 Security Forces magazine

Congratulations to 2025 AFSFA Hall of Fame Inductee:
- Santo Noce

AFSFA Board of Directors 2025 Electees:
- Board of Directors Scott Castillo, Joseph Mitchell & Lloyd Edwards

New AFSFA Regional Directors:
Region 2 Director: Carl Gingola
Region 3 Director: Gary Wiseman