Holloman NCO nabs Airman of the year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A noncommissioned officer at Holloman AFB, N.M., is one of 12 Airmen who won the Air Force Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award.

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Hansen, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, received a call from Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command, June 12, informing him of the outstanding award.

"It's a huge honor to get an award like this," said Sergeant Hansen.

Sergeant Hansen started his way to winning the award when he put an annual awards package together for the 49 CES awards. That same package won him the 49 CES Airman of the Year award, the 49th Mission Support Group award, the 49 FW award, the 12th Air Force award, the ACC award and now the Air Force award.

"I've known a lot of Airmen who won the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Bryant, 49 CES. "I knew he had a good chance with his annual package."

Sergeant Bryant has worked with Sergeant Hansen for a year in the explosive ordnance disposal flight at Holloman. "He deserves it," he said.

Sergeant Hansen earned the award through many of his recent accomplishments, according to Sergeant Bryant.

He has performed heroic acts such as dismantling many improvised explosive devices and going down range in a bomb suit when the robots didn't work, while deployed in Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in April for his bravery and leadership in Iraq from March to September, 2005.

Not only has Sergeant Hansen been heroic, he also accomplished a bit of self improvement. He recently earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration and is in the process of earning his civilian pilot's license through the Aero Club.

As one of the 12 outstanding Airmen of the year, Sergeant Hansen will take on new responsibilities.

"I will be on uniform boards, travel around with higher ranking officers and represent the Air Force," said Sergeant Hansen.

Sergeant Bryant believes the award will make Sergeant Hansen a better NCO because he will need to focus on Air Force-level issues, rather than just at his job. "He will have greater success in the future because he will have a better perspective on Air Force needs," said Sergeant Bryant.

Sergeant Hansen has a modest approach about the award.

"I don't think I did anymore than anyone out there in Iraq," he said. "It's kind of humbling. People are in Iraq, in harms way everyday."

Sergeant Hansen will be going to Washington D.C. in September where he will receive the award.