An 
operations flight superintendent with the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, Britain, SMSgt. Emilio Hernandez is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2012. Hernandez led 52 people in 53 civil engineering projects at 163 forward operating bases in Afghanistan. He directed the largest buildup of tactical operations centers in the Southwest Regional Command area, boosting command and control for the 2nd Marine Force. He orchestrated repairs for nine Marine Corps aircraft hangars to support a vital ISR platform for Southwest Asia operations. He led an outside-the-wall mission to coordinate emergency repairs to Kandahar government buildings, including rewiring an electrical grid to sustain police station operations. He also oversaw the regional command’s top civil project, upgrading the electrical grid for a dam to preserve water and power flow for 450,000 Afghans. Hernandez’s home of record is Hialeah, Fla. The Daily Report is shining the spotlight on each OAY. Also featured to date:
SMSgt. Luke W. Thompson SSgt. Angelo C. Banks
MSgt. Alan M. Braden SSgt. Cory T. Branham
MSgt. Sandra L. Plentzas SrA. Bryenna L. Brooks