507th AMXS member named top 4th AF Airman

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zach Jacobs
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  It turns out that being the top Airman of his group and wing just wasn't enough.

Staff Sgt. Shawn R. Shaw, an avionics technician with the 507th Aircraft Maintenance squadron, was recently named the Fourth Air Force's outstanding Airman of the year in the junior enlisted category.

Lt. Col. Eric Eggers, commander of the 507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said Shaw is well deserving of this award. "He is one of our true bright and shiny types," said Eggers. "We are very proud of him!"

Shaw's efforts speak volumes. As a senior airman, he supervised, mentored and trained six personnel. Those personnel were later forward deployed, where their knowledge and efforts led to zero mission losses.

During his own deployment, he was recognized as a systems expert in the area of responsibility, where there were zero combat missions lost.

During an LCAP, Shaw was directly responsible for zero discrepancies in three different inspections, leading to the 507th ARW receiving an overall "outstanding" rating.

Shaw also mentored and trained 27 Reserve and Air National Guard avionics technicians in critical tasks. Those technicians were 100% compliant with training
requirements.

While deployed, despite being rated a journeyman avionics technician, Shaw leveraged his skill set to train craftsman-rated technicians to ensure the capability of mission aircraft.

During the 2010 Rim of the Pacific exercise, a multinational air and naval exercise, Shaw's breadth of knowledge garnered him the flight chief award for the most valuable specialist.

Shaw's efforts were not limited to the mission, however. He earned 66 college credit hours toward a geographic information systems degree at a local community college. He also earned his associate degree in avionic systems technology from the Community College of the Air Force.

Shaw coached a soccer team for the local YMCA. He also helped complete an inventory with the Oklahoma City Infant Crisis Services charity. Additionally, he supported
three different wing functions, helping raise money for wing families at Christmas time and boosting morale during the wing's annual family day.

Shaw will advance to compete for the Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Airman of the Year - Airman category.