Air Force Announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019

By Kat Bailey, AFPC Public Affairs, 23 July 2019

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019.

An Air Force selection board at the Air Force’s Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year (alphabetically, by command of assignment when selected):

 

Master Sgt. Jahara A. Brown, Air Force Materiel Command, 78 SFS

Duty Title: Plans and Programs Superintendent

Organization: 78th Security Forces Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, GA

Home of Record: Atlanta, GA

Master Sergeant Jahara Brown directs 25 military and civilian personnel in developing and maintaining security plans for the protection of $18.7 billion in assets and 24,000 personnel. His expertise in law enforcement and security proved evident in his leadership of 85 personnel during 64 patrol responses that netted 32 criminals. While deployed as a combat arms program manager, he streamlined the movement of 1,500 weapons in 48-hours, aiding the success of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization air-strikes against Syria. A true wingman, Sergeant Brown sustained injuries during a vehicle rollover where he quickly reacted to save the lives of six other Airmen. Finally, Sergeant Brown mentored 420 Airmen during three TED talks cultivating an environment of ownership versus renter-ship.

◾Staff Sgt. Caryn N. Frederick, Air Force Reserve Command

◾Senior Master Sgt. Sylvetris S. Hlongwane, Pacific Air Forces

◾Senior Airman Gary G. Jeffrey III, Air Education and Training Command

◾Senior Master Sgt. Andrew J. Kehl, Air Combat Command

◾Technical Sgt. Inna A. Lvova, Air Force Space Command

◾Senior Master Sgt. Philip B. McAlpin Jr, Air Force Global Strike Command

◾Technical Sgt. Andrew C. Merrylees, Air National Guard

◾Technical Sgt. Kenneth T. O'Brien, Air Force Special Operations Command

◾Senior Airman Misty A. Richmond, U.S. Air Forces in Europe

◾Senior Airman Justin A. Starks, Air Force District of Washington

◾Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Stuebbe, Air Mobility Command

The winners are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon with the bronze service star device on the ribbon. They are also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

The airmen will be presented with their OAY ribbons during this year’s AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference, being held Sept. 16-18, in National Harbor, Md. The airmen will be allowed to wear the OAY badge for a year from the day of the award presentation.

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