Top reservists honored at yearly awards banquet

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mark Hybers
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Men and women from the 507th Air Refueling Wing gathered at the Tinker club Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 to celebrate the annual award recipients.

There are six categories in which members are awarded. The Billy Hughes Award, Company Grade Officer of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year and Airman of the Year.

The Billy Hughes Award was instituted in 1998 to commemorate the life of Tech. Sgt. Billy Hughes. Hughes, a former supervisory aircraft maintenance technician for the 507th Tactical Fighter Group, died in 1992 at Tinker Air Force Base while on active service. The annual unit level award is presented to the maintenance enlisted member from the 507th ARW or the 513th Air Control Group who best exemplifies the Air Force core values "Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in all We Do."

This year's Billy Hughes Award recipient is Senior Master Sgt. Taunya Avery, 507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Captain Patrick Mitchell, 507th Security Forces Squadron is the Company Grade Office of the Year. Mitchell is currently forward deployed in support of security combat operations responsible for protecting $348 million in resources. Mitchell supported the deployed Chaplain Service Program and scored a 100 on his fit-to-fight test.

The 2013 First Sergeant of the Year Award recipient is Master Sgt. Carl Hojnacki, 507th Civil Engineering Squadron. Sergeant Hojnacki voluntarily deployed for Southwest Asia earlier this year. Hojnacki earned his second Community College of the Air Force degree in Human Resource Management, while coaching youth basketball and soccer for a local YMCA. He also won the YMCA Coach of the Year award.

The Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award was presented to Senior Master Sgt. Robert Gaspar, Operations Group. Gaspar conducted detailed research on more than 10 airfields ahead of the 1st Aviation Standards Flight deployment to Africa, a key requirement for their mission success. An instrumental part of Operation Holiday Spirit, Gaspar volunteered as food server and auctioneer, helping raise $34,000 for unit families in need of assistance.

Staff Sergeant Bridget Van Treese is this year's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award winner. This year Van Treese strategically moved 250 tons, 698 pax and 46 aircraft with an on-time departure rate. She also attends Oklahoma University's nursing program. While maintaining a target graduation date for her nursing degree of 2013, she also completed her CCAF degree in Transportation Management.

This year's Airman of the Year Award winner is Senior Airman Michelle Scheuter, Logistical Readiness Squadron. Scheuter shipped over seven tons of sensitive cargo rapidly and effectively increasing production by 35 percent. She also executed her flight's fit-to-fight program resulting in enhanced morale, resulting in zero fitness failures.

New awards were given by each unit to recognize a member for outstanding performance throughout the year:

2013 HQ Award of Excellence
Master Sgt. Robert Blochowiak
2013 AMXS Maintenance Professional of the Year Award
Staff Sgt. Holly Way
2013 MOF Maintenance Professional of the Year Award
Master Sgt. Courtney Knight
2013 MXS Maintenance Professional of the Year Award
Tech Sgt. Lindsay Newton
2013 1st ASF High Flyer Award
Tech Sgt. Brent Castleberry
2013 465 ARS Outstanding Performance Award
Tech Sgt. Sean Gilson
2013 OSS Superior Performance Award
Senior Master Sgt. Robert Gaspar
2013 APS Port Dawg of the Year Award
Staff Sgt. Bridget Van Treese
2013 FSS Summit Award
Tech Sgt. Mallory Paul
2013 LRS Linchpin Award
Tech Sgt. Stephanie Heath
2013 SFS Defender of the Year Award
Senior Airman Kaleb Siah
2013 CES Award of Excellence
Master Sgt. Demetrius Nichols
2013 Combat Medic of the Year
Capt. Lisa Ayala

More than 150 reserve members and their families braved the elements to show support for all the nominees and award winners.