Air Combat Command crowns its annual award winners

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  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OMAHA, Neb. --  Air Combat Command honored nominees from across the command this week during its ACC Outstanding Airmen of the year celebration. 

The nominees were selected at their unit, base level and numbered Air Force level as the best of the best in six categories: Airman, noncommissioned officer, senior noncommissioned officer, first sergeant, honor guard member and honor guard program manager. 

"The caliber of our Airmen across ACC is second to none," said ACC Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen C. Sullens. "It's evident when you read about the many accomplishments of this year's nominees choosing the best of the best was a daunting task." 

Those chosen as the best of the best for ACC are:
Outstanding Airman of the Year:
Senior Airman Alexander Royal, Tactical Communications Operator, Fort Carson Army Installation, Colo.
Outstanding NCO of the Year:
Tech. Sgt. Illyas Asaddullah, Intelligence Craftsman, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year:
Senior Master Sgt. Tamara Olson, ACC Headquarters, Langley AFB, Va.
Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year:
Master Sgt. Christopher Fowler, 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Mountain-Home AFB, Idaho
Outstanding Honor Guard Member of the Year:
Senior Airman Timothy Johnson, Engineering Journeyman, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
Outstanding Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year:
Tech. Sgt. Theron Lord Jr., Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

To determine the command's annual winners, nominees began their week here by meeting a formal board of ACC chief master sergeants to be evaluated on their military knowledge, customs and courtesies, and professionalism.
Nominees also participated in several professional development activities to give the ACC command chief's honest feedback on enlisted issues, said Chief Sullens.

After the formal boards concluded, nominees and their families were treated to a bit of Air Force history with a trip to the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Neb., and took a tour of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.

Following the command's AOY banquet at the Omaha Hilton Wednesday featuring guest speaker retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James M. McCoy, nominees and their families were treated to a tour of Offutt and a feedback session with the ACC command chiefs before heading home to their respective units Friday.