NCO earns Team Tyndall NCO of the Year award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tech. Sgt. Robert Ybay, 325th Communications Squadron, earned the 2012 Team Tyndall Annual Award for Noncommissioned Officer of the Year during a ceremony at the Annual Awards Banquet Feb. 20.

A native of the Phillipines, Sergeant Ybay was named for the award among 10 other nominees.

"I was happy winning at the squadron level, and then group level, and now wing level is humbling. I count my blessings," Sergeant Ybay said.

His achievements include directing a radio upgrade, leading squadron emergency management, solving base giant voice issues, training new Airmen, eliminating waste and identifying discrepancies. He is an active committee member for the Air Force Ball and is visible in the community as a Meals-on-Wheels program manager and a volunteer for a new veterans' center grand opening.

"I am humbled, thankful and challenged," he said. "As I received the award that night, Colonel Graff said the words, 'I'm going to expect more from you.' That hit me that the expectations have again been elevated - game on."

"Sergeant Ybay is a key leader in the squadron and his work center is impeccably managed," said Mr. Jerry Flowers, 325th CS and Sergeant Ybay's supervisor. "As a leader, he sets the example for other NCOs and Airmen in the squadron, doing things like performing temporary shirt duties. As a squadron and as a flight, we're so proud he's reached this level and that he'll be competing at the next level."

Sergeant Ybay takes time to thank and remember all those who made his journey possible along the way.

"I'm thankful for my Airmen, all the way to the lowest ranking," said Sergeant Ybay. "They do a lot, they're professionals and they're leaders with creative and innovative ideas. I learn from them daily. For my peers and my chain of command who trust in me, guide me, and keep me in check. Special thanks to a mentor from my previous base, Maj. George Carter, who took a leap of faith in my potential and gave me a positive vector to succeed."

Base Annual Award winners will go on to compete at the Air Combat Command level. Common Access Card holders can see additional photos from the event by clicking here.