Moody home to AOY third consecutive year

  • Published
  • By Airman Eric Schloeffel
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
Among the service's more than 270, 000 enlisted people, a Moody Airman has been named one of the 12 elite for the third consecutive year.

Senior Airman Polly-Jan Bobseine, 823rd Security Forces Squadron, was selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year based on her battlefield experience combined with a perpetually positive attitude. This is the second consecutive year a member of the 820th Security Forces Group received this distinct honor.

"I'm honored to work around Airmen like her," said Col. John Decknick, 820th Security Forces Group commander. "Her performance in the combat zone and constant quest to better herself through training is an example for all of us to follow.

"Polly is the first to tell you she is no better than any of her coworkers, who have been deployed with her through combat operations," the colonel continued. "She is humble and the epitome of what we want leading our nation in the war on terrorism in the future."
Airman Bobseine learned she was selected in the early morning hours during a deployment to Iraq recently.

"I was woken up and told I needed to come to work," said Airman Bobseine. "I had no idea what was going on. I then received calls from Gen. (Ronald) Keys (Air Combat Command commander) and Gen. Gary North (9th Air Force commander) congratulating me for being chosen as one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the year. These are two amazing individuals I look up to, and I was very excited to hear from them."

During 2005, Airman Bobseine was deployed to Balad and Kirkuk Air Bases for more than six months. Her experience on the battlefield reads like the credentials of a more seasoned veteran.

At Balad AB, she participated in Operation Safeside, a historic Air Force security forces ground combat mission planned to prevent insurgents from launching attacks against the base. She participated in 45 offensive missions to capture Iraqi insurgents and played a key role in 30 ambushes, intercepting insurgent weapons supplies and egress routes.

Airman Bobseine also assisted in missions that resulted in the capture and detention of high value insurgents, discovery of an improvised explosive device at an Iraqi Interim Government Election polling center and response to small arms attack at an Iraqi checkpoint.

At Kirkuk AB, she was one of 56 out of 330 Airmen chosen to conduct off-base patrol operations. She conducted more than 100 combat patrols, securing 63 square miles and 13 villages to eliminate threats directed towards the base and aircraft. She is soon deploying back to Kirkuk AB as a member of the base's Quick Reaction Force.

"Airman Bobseine's duty and personal achievements are amazing and even more so when you consider she has been deployed to Iraq along with other members of our unit for nearly 200 days since January 2005, and will be headed to Iraq again," said Chief Master Sgt. Terry Reynolds, 823d SFS superintendent. "When you look at her list of accomplishments and experiences, it is personally humbling when I realize she is only 21 years old. In fact, it might seem hard to believe except for those who know her."

In addition to her credentials in the battle zone, Airman Bobseine has logged more than 30 hours toward achieving a private pilot license, graduated from the Air Force Close Precision Engagement Course and Army Airborne school, and volunteered more than 80 hours at the National Cancer Research Organization and the Theater Hospital and Combat Surgical Hospital at Balad AB.

Her dedication to enhancement both on-and-off duty has led to a myriad of a awards including Team Moody Airman of the Year; ACC's Outstanding Security Forces Flight Level Airman of 2005; 9th Air Force Airman of the Year; and the Air Force Sergeants Association First Term Airman of the Year.

Despite her obvious success, Airman Bobseine stays humble and insists others around her deserve just as much credit, said Capt. Doug Whitehead, 823rd SFS commander.

"Polly defines what it means to be a team player," he said. "With all of the recognition she's received, Polly's the first to point out other unit member have contributed and performed just as well, and she plays down any efforts to single her out.

"Despite the operations tempo, Polly always maintains a positive attitude and looks for every opportunity to improve herself and others, and most importantly, encourages others to excel," the captain added.

Although Airman Bobseine appreciates the awards she's amassed, the Cattaraugus, N.Y. native is determined to stay focused on constantly improving to accomplish the intensive 820th SFG mission, she said.

"Nothing I've ever accomplished came without teamwork," said Airman Bobseine. "I've heard many times that success comes to people too busy to look for it, which is how I feel about receiving these accolades. I've never paid much attention to much of the paperwork submitted for the awards; I just try to continue working hard."

This is the third consecutive year Moody was represented on the 12 OAY. Previous winners are Master Sgt. Paul Schaaf, 820th SFG, and Senior Airman Kurt Marunick, 347th Maintenance Group.