AFMC Command News

AFMC announces, honors annual enlisted award winners

  • Published
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Report
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Air Force Materiel Command announced its top enlisted Airmen of 2010 during the command's Annual Enlisted Awards Banquet March 31, 2011, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

More than 300 family members, friends, wingmen and command officials gathered in the modern flight gallery of the museum to honor the nominees.

Forty-four of the command's enlisted Airmen from throughout AFMC's headquarters, centers and specialized units were nominated to compete in four separate categories -- Airman, non-commissioned officer, senior NCO and first sergeant.

The winners are:

Airman Category - Senior Airman Sophia F. Joanis, Headquarters Cryptologic Systems Group, Lackland AFB, Texas. Airman Joanis showed exceptional leadership during her time as a Cyber Systems Operations Apprentice. Her work in this role resulted in the lifecycle management of more than 6,000 Information Technology assets valued at $8 million with 100 percent accountability.

Non-Commissioned Officer Category - Staff Sgt. Jordan S. Bishopp, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Sergeant Bishopp served as a battlefield leader, successfully completing 125 counter improvised explosive device missions. Sergeant Bishopp neutralized 46 homemade bombs, analyzed 12 post-blasts, collected 500 pieces of evidence, destroyed nine suicide vests and prevented more than 100 coalition casualties.

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Category - Senior Master Sgt. Mario Aceves-Fonseca, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif. As the superintendent of the 95th Medical Operations Squadron, Sergeant Aceves-Fonseca showed exemplary leadership and resource utilization. His effort contributed to the delivery of 47,000 medical encounters and helped the squadron achieve a 98 percent patient satisfaction rating.

First Sergeant Category - Senior Master Sgt. Craig A. Neri, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. During his time as first sergeant in the 88th Medical Operations Squadron, Sergeant Neri orchestrated 20 first sergeant panels, participated in 12 boards and briefed 22 enlisted development classes, personally assuring the professional growth of more than 920 Airmen.

Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander, presided over the ceremony. After congratulating all the nominees and winners on a job well done, he reminded them how important they are not just to AFMC, but to the nation.

"When you joined this service, it was the best Air Force in the world and today, it's still the best Air Force in the world," said General Hoffman. "You represent the best of AFMC, the best of our Air Force and the best of America."

"What the enemy really fears is the American military enlisted force. Our enemies know you can accomplish any task and solve any problem."

The four winners will go on to represent AFMC in the United States Air Force Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year and First Sergeant of the Year competitions held later this year.

'Back to Basics'

The theme for this year's banquet was 'Back to Basics.' This represents the on-going efforts led by AFMC Command Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren to encourage greater interaction and further strengthen a service of culture throughout the command's enlisted corps. As part of this initiative, for the first time in several years, the enlisted awards process included face-to-face boards. Chief Jaren explained the incorporation of boards in his June 2010 commentary 'Are you ready to meet the board?'

"In addition to evaluating the member's military image, the board will consider military bearing, communication skills and knowledge of issues impacting the Air Force," Chief Jaren wrote in this commentary. "This is a much more valid measure than just reading bullet statements."