FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- Earlier this year, 25th Air Force announced the 2016 winners of their Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards, and a Senior Airman from the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing was among the winners.
The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards recognize exceptional enlisted service members who demonstrate superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.
Senior Airman Elizabeth, cyber analyst, 37th Intelligence Squadron Cyber Combat Mission Team, 70th ISRW, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, was named as the 25th Air Force’s Airman of the Year in the Airman category.
“I have a tremendous amount of support from my friends, mentors, supervisor and my squadron,” Elizabeth said with regard to her award. “I feel like being named the 25th Air Force Airman of the Year is not just a reflection of me, but of my squadron as a whole.”
According to the 37th IS superintendent, Senior Master Sgt. Victor, a book can be written on Elizabeth’s accomplishments and character.
“Elizabeth is a phenomenal Airman that epitomizes the ‘whole person’ mantra,” said Victor. “Her work performance and job knowledge is above reproach, and she consistently dedicates herself to bettering the Airmen around her by sharing her technical expertise and leading large organizations or committees off-duty. Senior Airman Elizabeth is a shining example of what a U.S. Air Force [Outstanding Airman of the Year] nominee should be.”
During the 2016 calendar year, Elizabeth was efficient in her job performance in her primary duty, but also balance the “Whole Airman Concept,” According to Victor.
She successfully built her squadron’s suicide prevention program, leading 24 courses for 140 Airmen, volunteered 42 hours towards JBPH-H’s Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, organized a team to prepare and organize 500-plus items for the Airmen’s Attic, and led the base’s first speed mentoring event which linked more than 40 Airmen with technical and professional experts, according to her nomination package.
“I really enjoy being in this field of work and enjoy coming into work knowing that I am able to contribute to the mission,” said Elizabeth. “It’s much easier to stay motivated at work if you enjoy doing your job and having great people to work with.”
The Tennessee-native entered the U.S. Air Force in December 2014 and has been stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; Corry Station, Florida, and currently at JBPH-H, Hawaii.
From day one, Elizabeth has been aiming high. Not only was she a dorm chief at Basic Military Training, she was also an honor graduate. She became a student leader, red rope, at her technical school at Goodfellow AFB, and has an Airman of the Quarter award under her belt. In addition to receiving senior airman below-the-zone, she also served as the president of the Wahiawa Airmen’s Council at JBPH-H, Hawaii from February 2015 to February 2016, she said.
Some of her goals include learning to be the best that she can be at her job, to accept every opportunity to develop herself professionally and to earn her master’s degree in intelligence studies before the end of her first enlistment.
Elizabeth credits many of her accomplishments to the mentorship she has received.
At her first duty station, there were people who reached out to her and left her with good impressions so that she wanted to be like them as she gain experience in the military, she said.
“I have received a lot of good advice since I was first stationed here, but the best advice I’ve received was ‘Be like the ocean. Be flexible, persistent and strong. Allow yourself to adjust and overcome any obstacle that is placed in front of you.’”
Elizabeth’s tips to success include being positive, making the most of the community you have, reaching out and making friends, finding a mentor and supporting the people around you.