Master Sgt. Kelly Herndon, 325th Force Support Squadron base training superintendent wins 2013 Headquarters 9th Air Force Senior NCO of the year award

Master Sgt. Kelly Herndon, 325th Force Support Squadron base training superintendent, poses for a portrait March 6 at the base education building. Herndon helped coordinate with several career field managers, fixing errors which ultimately influenced approximately 26,000 careers, helping win her the 2013 Headquarters 9th Air Force Senior NCO of the year award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dustin Mullen)

Master Sergeant wins 9th Air Force level award

Published March 14, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Dustin Mullen
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A Tyndall master sergeant won a 9th Air Force level award by showing extraordinary leadership and Air Force wide impact.

Master Sgt. Kelly Herndon, 325th Force Support Squadron base training superintendent, won the 2013 Headquarters 9th Air Force Senior NCO of the year award.

Her exceptional organizational skills and dedication shined bright as she coordinated with several career field managers, fixing errors which ultimately influenced approximately 26,000 careers.

The Golden, Col. native, was extremely thankful when she was presented with the award.

"I feel speechless," she said. "I went back and forth between crying and not crying. The tears never actually went down my face, but they were in my eyes. It felt awesome to be recognized."

Herndon joined the Air Force as an air transportation apprentice 14 years ago and then cross trained to become a unit training manager in 2006.

"I joined because I wanted to be part of something bigger, and I wanted to do something better for my daughter and myself," she added.

She now works in the base training office, which is primarily responsible for unit training programs serviced by the host manpower and personnel flight regardless of the functional area.
"As a training manager, I ensure programs are in place to manage upgrade qualification in garrison and expeditionary training for 58 units with more than 4,200 assigned Airmen spanning from the 325th Fighter Wing to the 23rd Flying Training Squadron at Fort Rucker Army Base, Ala," Herndon said.

Herndon's supervisors recognize the tremendous work she does.

"Master Sgt. Herndon is absolutely outstanding at her job," said Philip Hunsberger, 325th FSS chief of education and training. "She can take any issue and resolve it. She is very valuable."