Tyndall Annual Award winners

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Seven Airmen and two civilians representing the best of the best were presented with awards recognizing them as the top members in their respective categories. The individuals received their awards during Tyndall's 2010 Annual Awards banquet Feb. 11 at Horizons Community Center. More than 300 guests attended the annual ceremony which honors Airmen and civilians for their hard work, dedication and excellence.

Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Monica Gomez-Arenas, 325th Medical Support Squadron
Captain Gomez-Arenas has been the group and wing company grade officer of the quarter twice and has led her team to the group's Team of the Year. She leads the number one flu shot program in Air Education and Training Command and led the medical group risk assessment, holding 13 workshops and training 75 staff and senior leaders. Captain Gomez-Arenas is a gifted newsletter editor, editing the medical group newsletter and upgrading the intranet site with over 200 links. She also eliminated potential cyber threats to e-folders and media, and resolved program compatibility issues. She was handpicked to shadow the 325th Fighter Wing commander, attend the AETC commander's breakfast and greet the Presidential family during their visit. In addition, she ran her first marathon and is a volunteer fitness instructor. Finally, Captain Gomez-Arenas led the Tyndall 2010 Combined Federal Campaign effort, raising $176,000.

Civilian Category I
Amber Muniz, 325th Contracting Squadron
Ms. Muniz earned the group, wing and Tyndall civilian category I quarterly award twice. She is an AETC special recognition nominee and led Air Force and U.S. Navy teams to correct 23 coding errors, where her efforts avoided reporting violations. She was selected as an outstanding performer by AETC and is the flight records custodian, meticulously maintaining files and earning an outstanding rating. Furthermore, Ms. Muniz is the unit security manager and has updated 50 personnel files to ensure valid clearances for duty positions. She is the Air Force Civil Engineer Service Agency's first choice to lead and establish training regulations, an Air Force-wide implementation. She has been named Best in AETC for contract administrative duties and has an unparalleled commitment toward completing a master's degree with a 3.9 grade point average. Ms. Muniz is also a dedicated volunteer, contributing nearly 36 hours to the local women and children rescue mission office.

Civilian Category II
Andrew Kay, 53rd Test Support Squadron
Mr. Kay directed support for 26 live-fire missions versus electronic attack (EA). He orchestrated EA pod purchase and funded 20 payloads ensuring support through fiscal year 2012. He procured nearly 17 threat realistic EA targets and led new target drone payload development. He also drafted the initial requirements for Air Combat Command for fiscal year 2011 and prioritized the inputs. Mr. Kay staffed EA shortfalls and was the technical lead for an internal EA test program, ensuring two prototypes built and three operations tests were completed. Moreover, he identified a software bug and grounded target drone, and also directed the update and repair. He coordinated two joint overseas airlifts of 6,500 threat realistic munitions and also evaluated 28 live-fire missions. He designed a training program that trained 88 pilots against the latest threat and oversaw foreign flare and advanced EA support for F-22 Raptor. Mr. Kay attended 19 academic briefings covering radar, weapons and aircraft, improving his technical expertise. He also participated in a charity walk that earned $44,000 to fund health care for those in need.  

Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Don Moffett, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency
Sergeant Moffett was selected as the AFCESA senior noncommissioned officer of the year and superintendent of the year. He led 67 Airmen from two different career fields in the largest power operations in Iraq. He oversaw the Task Force Safe program and won the ACC Unit Safety Award of Distinction. Sergeant Moffett directed the beddown for 400 Iraq Army personnel in the first-ever quick response force on Balad Air Base, Iraq. He also stepped up as division chief, directing 98 personnel in seamless operations. Additionally, he has done research in liquid fuels, HVAC and utility control shortfalls across the Air Force to develop a brief for senior leaders. Sergeant Moffett has completed nearly 16 hours of safety courses, improving knowledge of current national electric code requirements. He also steered more than 90 work review boards, ensuring efficient use of man-hours. He was elected president of the Tyndall Top 3 organization and directed 24 NCO calls, teaching U.S. strategy and policy, world events and standards, molding leadership qualities for more than 28 students.

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Gutshall, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron
Sergeant Gutshall was awarded a Combat Action Medal and Purple Heart for his actions in leading six members of his team to safety. Despite his injury, he escorted injured U.S. Marines to medics, saving four lives. He was a key player in the capture of over 40 improvised explosive devices, eliminating a Taliban stronghold. Sergeant Gutshall also cleared the hazards for the Nuclear Security Summit for 146 delegates and secured route clearance and forward operating base supply lines. He collected evidence from IEDs that is key to the Afghan fingerprint and biometrics system. He also provided IED training to 265 Afghan and U.S. personnel. Furthermore, he cleared dropped munitions from the flightline and neutralized 15 explosive hazards with minimal mission impact. Sergeant Gutshall established a holding area for captured enemy explosives, providing safe and secure storage and improving safety. He was handpicked as an explosive ordinance disposal team leader for the annual United Nations General Assembly. Sergeant Gutshall is only one class away from completing his second associates degree during a deployment and high operations tempo. He also helped deliver more than 8,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to 670 Afghan villagers and volunteered 240 hours to instructing Boy Scouts for eight of their merit badges.  

Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class Steven Wandell, 81st Range Control Squadron
Airman Wandell was selected and promoted to Senior Airman Below-the-Zone, as well as the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group 2010 Airman of the Year. His achievements can be reflected in his dedication to the Air Force and his determination to succeed. He led eight simulated drivers for 220 virtual training sorties. He replicated the squadron's fuel system which saved the Air Force approximately $70 million in fuel costs and manpower. He also managed three in-flight emergencies and coordinated nine air traffic controls, recovering aircrew and approximately $200 million of aircraft safely. Airman Wandell is the president of his squadron's booster club, which organized 25 fundraisers, raising approximately $8,000 for the 25th Weapons Evaluation Group anniversary and squadron holiday party. He is currently pursuing a masters degree in business administration and has completed two of those graduate courses with a 3.0 grade point average.  

First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Johnny Hamm, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Sergeant Hamm managed approximately $74,000 in quality of life enhancements and assisted in 15 facility upgrades. He also choreographed the 72nd Brigade change of command formation. He provided trusted counsel to the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade command sergeant major and solved 15 major training shortfalls, enabling realistic area of responsibility scenarios. In addition, he has finished 60 hours of combat skills training and mastered Army Improvised Explosive Device detection. Sergeant Hamm was handpicked by the 87th Air Base Wing command chief master sergeant to assist with the Tuskegee Airmen's Purple Heart ceremony. He is also involved with the community and has coordinated over 20 volunteer events.

19th Air Force Honor Guard Manager of the Year
Master Sgt. Raymond Delgado, 325th Force Support Squadron
Sergeant Delgado commanded 224 honor guard details and contributed more than 2,500 hours; all of those details have been kept with zero discrepancies. By organizing movable training for 29 Airmen, he reduced a 12-day Air Force honor guard class by four days, saving the 325th FW approximately $39,000. He has molded more than 360 Airmen by teaching proper dress and appearance in more than 45 First Term Airmen Center classes. Sergeant Delgado has enhanced his program management skills by completing seven credit hours toward his bachelor's degree in business management. (Photo not available)

Honor Guard Member of the Year
Staff Sgt. Dominic Durgin-Rodriguez II, 53rd Test Support Squadron
Sergeant Durgin-Rodriguez II is an honor guard trainer and has readied eight Airmen for training flight graduation. He instructed two training flights of 23 Airmen on drill and ceremony procedures. He has also managed 39 details in 23 Florida and Georgia counties of more than 14,000 square miles without missing a single ceremony in 2010. He reorganized the supply room inventory and recycled and organized 45 serviceable uniforms saving the Air Force approximately $13,000. Sergeant Durgin-Rodriguez II has improved his communication skills by completing four college courses earning 12 credit hours towards his Community College of the Air Force associates degree.