512th Airlift Wing selects annual award winners for 2007

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sasha S. Skrine
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 512th Airlift Wing selected its annual award winners for 2007.

Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Dawn Senido-Leitch, 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron port mortuary and lodging specialist, is the Airman of the Year. Airman Senido-Leitch worked agreements with 436th and 512th lodging managers to keep 50 percent or more of traveling reservists in on-base lodging during UTA weekends, saving the wing $98,000 annually. Airman Senido-Leitch completed her career development course early and is enrolled in the NCO Development Correspondence Course. She is also a student in the Licensed Practical Nurses Program at Delaware Technical Community College. Airman Senido-Leitch tutors at the Native American Summer School Program in Baltimore, Md., where she instructed 50 students. 

NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Ahmed Alharbi, 512th Security Forces Squadron security response force leader, is the NCO of the Year. Sergeant Alharbi volunteered to help backfill the 436th SFS when some of its Airmen were deployed. Sergeant Alharbi recently completed his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and is currently attending school for his master's degree in accounting. Sergeant Alharbi also volunteers at the Nationalist Service Center where foreign nationals transition to become citizens of the United States. 

Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda, 512th Public Affairs NCO in charge, is the Senior NCO of the Year. Sergeant Aceveda orchestrated all logistical and operational aspects of the wing's Employer Appreciation Day, including the orientation flight, for 40 employers of reservists. Sergeant Aceveda earned a Community College of the Air Force degree in Public Affairs and earned a 93 percent on the NCO academy test thus receiving the Academic Excellence Award, an honor bestowed to 5 percent of graduates Air Force wide. Sergeant Aceveda also volunteers more than 30 hours monthly at the American Legion with events, dinners, publicity and recruiting. 

Company Grade officer of the Year
Capt. Lonnie Schmidt, 709th Airlift Squadron C-5 pilot, is the Company Grade Officer of the Year. Captain Schmidt has flown more than 120 sorties carrying 2.8 million pounds of cargo for a total of 119 hours combat hours supporting OIF. Captain Schmidt is pursing a master's degree in business administration. When he isn't working or attending school, he volunteers at a soup kitchen and assists the program by purchasing food and cooking supplies to feed 100 people. 

Civilian of the Year
Mr. Willie Hairston, 512th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight office assistant, is the Civilian of the Year. Mr. Hairston filled in during a more than four month commander's support section Air Reserve Technician vacancy; and, in addition to primary duties, took on the orders and government travel card program. Mr. Hairston is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Columbia College's online program. He is also the co-owner of "The Faith House Outreach Center," which includes a food bank and community center and provides free counseling and other service including life skills and job interview preparation.