An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

JB MDL welcomes AMC command chiefs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan M. Swink
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Twenty-one command chiefs from throughout Air Mobility Command arrived here March 2 for a four-day, dual-purpose visit.

In addition to familiarizing themselves with the USAF Expeditionary Center here, the chiefs conducted a mini-board to determine which AMC Airmen will travel to Scott AFB in April to compete for the command's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year honors.

The Outstanding Airman of the Year process recognizes 12 outstanding enlisted personnel based on superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. The award is divided into three categories: Airman, NCO and Senior NCO.

"The joint base Airmen are represented in every category from the [Expeditionary Center], 305th Air Mobility Wing and 87th Air Base Wing," said Chief Master Sgt. Fitzgerald Hentz, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center command chief.

According to Chief Master Sgt. David Spector, AMC command chief, 12 nominees will be selected to attend the AMC OAY banquet at Scott AFB, Ill., at which time one winner will be announced from each of the three categories. The AMC winners will then compete against other major command winners to decide the final 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year for the Air Force.

"We reviewed more than 80 submissions Tuesday," said Chief Spector. "We were looking for total-package leaders. It's important for Airmen to further their education and become involved heavily in their community."

The Air Force Association honors the 12 Outstanding Airmen at its annual convention in Washington, D.C. The chief master sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer and selected command chiefs form the selection board.

The three AMC winners are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon. Additionally, winners at Air Force level are authorized to wear the bronze service star device. The winners also serve as members of the Air Force Association's enlisted advisory council for the following year.

After conducting the 12 OAY board here, the AMC command chiefs received a tour of the Expeditionary Center to see how the center educates and trains Airmen in expeditionary combat support skills. The center is designed to prepare graduates to perform their mission through education and training in the full range of expeditionary operations.

"I was honored to host the AMC command chiefs during their visit here," said Chief Hentz. "JB MDL and the EC are both important assets in today's military arena.

"We were able to show our visitors how and why we are able to accomplish the critical tasks set before us. I believe the command chiefs are leaving with a better understanding of how we bring the multiple services together to accomplish the mission."

Their mission complete, the 21 command chiefs departed Thursday; their next stop ... Scott AFB.