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Air Force announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019

  • Published
  • By Kat Bailey
  • Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs

Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2019.

An Air Force selection board at the Air Force’s Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year (alphabetically, by command of assignment when selected):

Master Sgt. Jahara A. Brown, Air Force Materiel Command
Staff Sgt. Caryn N. Frederick, Air Force Reserve Command
Senior Master Sgt. Sylvetris S. Hlongwane, Pacific Air Forces
Senior Airman Gary G. Jeffrey III, Air Education and Training Command
Senior Master Sgt. Andrew J. Kehl, Air Combat Command
Technical Sgt. Inna A. Lvova, Air Force Space Command
Senior Master Sgt. Philip B. McAlpin Jr, Air Force Global Strike Command
Technical Sgt. Andrew C. Merrylees, Air National Guard
Technical Sgt. Kenneth T. O'Brien, Air Force Special Operations Command
Senior Airman Misty A. Richmond, U.S. Air Forces in Europe
Senior Airman Justin A. Starks, Air Force District of Washington
Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Stuebbe, Air Mobility Command

The winners are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon with the bronze service star device on the ribbon. They are also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

The MAJCOM nominee list is available on myPers > Recognition >Special Trophies and Awards or select the active-duty enlisted category from the dropdown menu and search “12 OAY.”

For more information about Air Force personnel programs, visit AFPC’s public website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/.