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Airman earns one of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Awards

  • Published
  • By Capt. Amy Hutchisson
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  It's not every day the average Airman receives a phone call at home from a four-star general, but a Charleston Air Force Base staff sergeant assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron is no average Airman.

Staff Sgt. Richard Rose Jr., aerial combat photographer, had just come in from cutting his grass when he received the call from Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander, who delivered the congratulatory news that he was named as one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year by an Air Force selection board.

"I was very surprised and happy to hear that I was one of the 12," said Sergeant Rose. "What an honor is all I could really say."

"Sergeant Rose is more than deserving of this award," said Tech. Sgt. Denise Rayder, 1 CTCS combat photography craftsman and Sergeant Rose's supervisor. "He is highly motivated and a go-getter who is always willing to volunteer."

He was recognized among the service's top enlisted Airmen for his superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.

During the award period of January through December 2006, Sergeant Rose captured more than 4,000 photos highlighting Coalition and Iraqi forces operational and training effectiveness. Additionally, his 4,000 plus images during Operation Iraqi Freedom provided combatant commanders near real-time view of tactics and procedures. He also filmed more than eight hours of video while supporting more than 30 high-profile, air assault missions with the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault to capture or kill anti-Iraqi forces.

Furthermore, he took photos of five mortar impacts, three of which were within 20 feet of his position. Sergeant Rose's photos were used as part of the investigation to determine the mortars' origin.

His imagery has been published on more than 30 websites and media broadcasts worldwide and in two Army magazines.

Sergeant Rose was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions under fire during his deployment to Iraq in 2006. He is credited with helping save the lives of 56 troops during Operations Vital Strike when an explosive ordnance disposal team was ambushed by insurgents. During the firefight, Sergeant Rose traded his camera for a rifle, providing suppressive fire, which enabled the EOD team to reach safety without any casualties. Additionally, he was a vital member of the recovery team for two murdered U.S. soldiers. His imagery facilitated the conviction of Al-Qaeda criminals.

Sergeant Rose is also the recipient of the 2007 Air Mobility Command Airman of the Year Award.

"I owe all that I have done this year to my family, my co-workers and friends," said Sergeant Rose. "Without each of them, none of this would have been possible."

He also attributes his success to the guidance he received during his deployment from the NCO in charge of the combat video element, 1 CTCS. "I had great leadership in Iraq," he said. "Master Sgt. Christopher Nolan led me in the right direction and looked after me."

While Sergeant Rose benefited from Sergeant Nolan's leadership, Sergeant Nolan also gained strength from the 24-year-old award recipient.

"Sergeant Rose is a phenomenal troop; one of the best I've ever deployed with," Sergeant Nolan said. "We joked and relied on each other to keep sane during some really difficult times."

"Sergeant Rose saw some really terrible things during the deployment, and no matter what happened, no matter what he went through, he refused to be on the sidelines," added Sergeant Nolan. "His dedication to ensure the mission was accomplished never wavered."

The award's selection board, comprised of the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer and command chiefs from selected major commands, considered 33 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Air Staff agencies. To determine the honorees, the board reviewed nomination packages, which included a biography and a complete Air Force form 1206.

"Out of all the other accolades that I have received this year, this one is right on top," said Sergeant Rose. "I just want to be normal though and continue to do my job as I need to because in my mind, I am just a part of this big family that we call the U.S. Air Force."

This year's award recipients join the ranks of 711 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award recipients previously selected since the program's inception in 1956 at the Air Force Association's 10th Annual National Convention in New Orleans, La.

The nominees are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon, while the 12 outstanding Airmen will wear the bronze service star device on the ribbon. They will also wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation, and serve on the Air Force Enlisted Council for one year.

Sergeant Rose, along with the other 11 award recipients, will be honored at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September.