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Space Force Master Sgt. Phillip Lowery recently returned to Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., after graduating with top honors from the U.S. Marine Corps Staff NCO Academy, Camp Johnson, N.C. “Having experienced more than 16 years of Air Force and Space Force PME, I wanted to take on something new and challenging,” said Lowery, the senior enlisted leader of 1st Delta Operations Squadron, Space Delta 1. “I’ve worked with Marines on and off throughout my career, but this was my first time being fully immersed in their culture.”
The 18th Force Support Squadron Shogun Inn lodging facility in Kadena AB, Japan, received the Air Force Innkeeper Award for best lodging of 2023 from the Air Force Innkeeper Award Program. The award recipient is evaluated on customer service, cleanliness, financials, and related support activities, customer comment cards, and in-person guest feedback. Despite the adversities of operating a large-scale lodging operation, the Shogun Inn proves what it takes to maintain a facility of its size with an all-star team. Reynaldo Visico, Shogun Inn assistant lodging manager, said the dedication of his team to be the best was crucial in being honored with the award.
Senior Airman Alix Hayes, (left) 377th Medical Group public health technician, received the 20th Air Force Airman of the Year Award for 2022 at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., on Aug. 21. “I wasn’t looking for any recognition for my work, but I am glad I had the opportunity to represent the group and the wing well,” Hayes said. “My parents and grandparents taught me early on about working hard and having good work ethic.” Hayes spearheaded the annual “Food Vulnerability Assessment,” where she pinpointed 13 vulnerabilities that could have led to potential “food fraud” items sold by external vendors on the base.
Senior Airman David Kiige, a mental health technician with 2nd Medical Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., is passionate about building community. Born in Nairobi, Kiige spent most of his childhood in eastern Kenya. Inspired by U.S. forces in his homeland, He joined the U.S. military and decided on a mental health career. “I chose mental health when I had that opportunity in order to learn and understand more about the human brain,” Kiige said. Giving back to his homeland, he established a nonprofit for Kenyan women and children fleeing domestic violence and poverty.
Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Matyas, 347th Operations Support Squadron flight chief, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., is quite the innovator. He recently became the first Moody recipient of a grant from the ACC Momentum Fund for a filtered water bottle idea. “Essentially it’s a normal water bottle” Matyas said. “The difference is this one has a compression filter that’s built into the bottom of the bottle. … [Y]ou can use it as a normal water bottle, and in a sticky predicament you can take this water bottle and procure water from a mud puddle or from a faucet of untreated water.”
The 52nd Combat Communications Squadron’s Cyber Security section at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., protects Air Force intel 24/7. “We handle network operation servers, provide server maintenance, and establish domains,” said Tech. Sgt. Mathew Myer, 52nd CBCS NCO in charge of cyber systems operations. “Domain controllers are what we use to validate your identity through the Common Access Card when an employee is trying to log in on the Air Force network computer.” These cyber security specialists prevent, detect, and fight cyberattacks and ensure networks are secure.
Jessica Jones, 19th Civil Engineering Squadron housing management specialist, Little Rock AFB, Ark., was recognized on the CE “30 Under 30” list in August as part of a group going above and beyond normal duties, making notable impacts in the civil engineer field. She is responsible for ensuring quality of life concerns of base housing residents are met and work orders are addressed. Jones said, “I don’t serve in the same way other Airmen do, but I can offer at least this aspect of service by making sure people are in a safe place. The military housing office is an advocate, and we want only the best.”
Col. William J. McCrink III, former 174th Attack Wing commander, retired after 26 years of military service during an Aug. 5, ceremony at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, N.Y. The 174th Attack Wing flies the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft in combat operations supporting Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. McCrink previously served as the LRE Detachment Commander of the 174th Operations Group, 108th Attack Squadron Commander, and the 174th Operations Group Commander.
For the first time in Air National Guard history, a clinical nurse took command as director of the ANG Medical Service Office of the Air Surgeon at the ANG Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md. Air Force Col. Linda A. Rohatsch took command in late 2022. As the director, she shapes the ANG Medical Service and oversees the mission execution of its $60 million annual budget, which enables the mission readiness of the ANG’s 108,000 military and civilian personnel. Rohatsch also serves as a primary adviser to the ANG Readiness Center commander and the Director of the ANG.