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AETC Operations Readiness Airman of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Senior Airman Joe Giles, 325th Logistics Readiness Division logistics planner, was recently recognized as the 2011 Air Education and Training Command Operations Readiness Airman of the Year.

Airman Giles was born in Killeen, Texas, and was raised as a military brat, but calls Radcliff, Ky., home. His father was an Armor Crewman, also known as a tanker, in the Army and served proudly for more than two decades.

Airman Giles graduated from West Kentucky University in 2007 with a degree in Business Management. In 2008, after struggling for a while, he enlisted in the Air Force to provide for his two sons and wife.

Tyndall, where he has resided for the last three years, is his first duty station. He said he enjoys his job and the fact that what he does impacts the Air Force as a whole.

"I like the fact that we directly support the mission through our work with deployments," said Airman Giles. "We monitor, track, analyze and review Time Phase Force Deployment Data for deployments and redeployments. I'm also the Wing Air Expeditionary Force Reporting Tool manager, which consists of managing 462 Unit type codes reporting Tyndall's Wartime readiness to AETC."

His wife, Shalanda, also supports the base as a periodic health assessment nurse at the 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron.

His supervisor, Technical Sgt. Raquel Lampkin, 325th LRD NCO in charge of plans and programs, had nothing but nice things to say about Airman Giles.

"Airman Giles win is well deserved," said Sergeant Lampkin. "He is a very hard worker. He is dedicated and extremely motivated at the job he does. I am very proud of him."

Outside of the office, Airman Giles has participated strongly in his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, to raise money for a local youth baseball league, he has taken part in Meals on Wheels and supported the POW/MIA run. He was selected as an Airman Below the Zone, distinguished graduate from Airman Leadership School, a Logistics Compliance Assessment Program superior performer and has earned his Community College of the Air Force degree.

Airman Giles said he was humbled to receive this award.

"It is an honor to win the award," said Airman Giles. "It is a direct tribute to my coworkers and the operation we have in this office."

Airman Giles is slated to leave for his first deployment, within the next few weeks. Other than making the most of his 6-month tour overseas, he has future plans of becoming an officer.