Liberty Wing celebrates annual award winners

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zachary Cacicia
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 512th Airlift Wing announced its 2020 annual award winners during an awards ceremony April 17 here.

Hosted by Col. Gregory Haynes, 512th AW commander, the awards ceremony also recognized Air Force Reserve Command-level winners.

Normally held as a banquet, this year’s event took place outdoors to allow max participation by the wing due to Covid-19 restrictions.

In front of a socially distanced audience of more than 200 wing and community members, the emcee Master Sgt. Erin Esquer announced the 2020 512th AW Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Senior Master Sgt. Michael McCracken, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is the 512th AW Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.

Robert Baird, 512th FSS, is the 512th AW Outstanding Civilian of the Year.

Capt. Deborah Hautanen, 512th Contingency Response Squadron, is the 512th AW Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year.

Master Sgt. Brinnea Wigley, 712th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is the 512th AW Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year.

Tech. Sgt. Elrico Edwards, 712th AMXS, is the 512th AW Outstanding NCO of the Year.

Airman 1st Class Breeanna Aseng, 512th Security Forces Squadron, is the 512th AW Outstanding Airman of the Year.

The annual award winners were selected from the 2020 quarterly award winners, which were also recognized at the event.

The 512th AW first quarter award winners are:
Robert Baird, 512th FSS;
Capt. Marissa Poje, 71st APS;
Master Sgt. Bryson Johnson, 512th CRS;
Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Porreca, 512th MXS; and
Senior Airman Jessica Wilkins, 512th SFS.

The 512th AW second quarter award winners are:
Jacqueline Thornton, 512th FSS;
Senior Master Sgt. David Murad, 71st APS;
Tech. Sgt. Elrico Edwards, 712th AMXS; and
Airman 1st Class Miranda Petti, 46th APS.

The 512th AW third quarter award winners are:
Steve Miller, 512th MSG;
2nd Lt. Brandon Bermudez, 712th AMXS;
Master Sgt. Michael Workman, 512th AMXS;
Staff Sgt. Danny Herrera, 71st APS; and
Senior Airman Alana Clay, 71st APS.

The 512th AW fourth quarter award winners are:
Robert Crum, 71st APS;
Capt. Deborah Hautanen, 512th CRS;
Master Sgt. Brinnae Wigley, 712th AMXS;
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Miller, 512th CRS; and
Airman 1st Class Breeanna Aseng, 512th SFS.

The wing also acknowledged the following AFRC winners.

The 512th AW Safety weapons section won the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award for Weapons Safety. The 512th AW/SE occupation safety section won the 2020 AFRC Outstanding Achievement for Occupational Safety of the Year. The 512th AW/SE won the 2020 AFRC Safety Office of the Year.

Alexis Lynn, 512th AW/SE, is the 2020 AFRC Outstanding Occupational Safety Civilian of the Year.

Carl Palmer, 512th AW/SE, is the 2020 AFRC Outstanding Weapons Safety Civilian of the Year.

Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham, 512th AW Public Affairs, is the 2020 AFRC Outstanding Communication Noncommissioned officer of the Year.

The final award of the ceremony was presented to a team whose superior Airmanship, judgement, crew resource management, and operational expertise exhibited by this aircrew in the successful accomplishment of their mission, under extremely challenging conditions earned them the 2020 Raincross Aircrew Excellence Award.

From the 709th Airlift Squadron:
Maj. Jared Tenpas,
Maj. John Newman,
Lt. Col. Marci Matthews,
Lt. Col. James Mann,
Senior Master Sgt. Troy Heller,
Tech. Sgt. Alexis Miller,
Senior Airman Stephanie Garber, and
Senior Airman Maurice Freifelder.
And from the 512th AMXS:
Master Sgt. Ethan Gilson and
Tech. Sgt. Steven Watkins.