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Scott Airman earns national recognition

  • Published
  • By 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
  • 375th Airlift Wing
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Air Force selected the service's top enlisted members by naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2009. Of the selected winners, Team Scott's very own Tech. Sgt. Manuel Herrera was selected as one of the winners. Sergeant Herrera is an explosive ordinance technician from the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron. 

After being selected as one of Air Mobility Command 12 OAY he went on to compete at Air Force level with 33 other Airmen who represented the major commands of the Air Force. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer and selected Major Command chiefs formed the selection board. The 12 Airman are selected based on superior leadership, job performance, significant self-improvement, personal achievements and base/community involvement. The Air Force Chief of Staff reviews the selections. 

On the job, Sergeant Herrera, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight NCOIC: 

- Led 251 missions, survived four attacks and captured 36 terrorists while deployed;
- Captured 19 high-value terrorists while interrupting weapons flow into northern Iraq;
- Destroyed 23 improvised explosive devices and disarmed two;
- Guided recovery and destruction of 4,683 enemy IED and other unexploded ordnances;
- Collected counter IED intelligence by conducting 12 post-blast analysis;
- Requested by name to protect U.S. President and 18 distinguished visitors on 14-day Secret Service mission;
- Directed the safe removal of 14 UXOs found by Iowa State Police;
- Instructed 100 deploying warfighters on IED and UXO recognition.

Off duty:
- Earned CCAF degree and Air Force Aid Pistsenbarger Award for scholastic performance
- Raised $3,000 by organizing Kirkuk Memorial Run and ran 5K in full bombsuit
- Developed and presented EOD mission brief for 91 Junior ROTC cadets at three schools

Recognition:
- Earned Bronze Star and Combat Action Medals
- Team Scott NCO of the Year
- USO Hero's Award
- 2008 AMC Civil Engineer Military Technician of the Year