The Outstanding Airman Program annually recognizes 12 enlisted members for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements.
The Air Force Association drove the creation of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year program, which debuted at AFA’s 10th annual convention in 1956. Airmen selected receive the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with bronze service star device; they also wear the Outstanding Airman badge for a full year. This year’s honorees were chosen by a selection board from among nominees advanced by commands in the Air Force and Space Force.
MSgt. Ryan B. Girard
Duty Title: Professional Military Education Instructor
Organization: Mathies NCO Academy, Keesler AFB, Miss.
Home of Record: Woonsocket, R.I.
Master Sergeant Girard demonstrated exceptional leadership while serving as an E-8 deputy commandant. He led development of three Primary Military Education curriculum tiers and certified 26 development advisors across five MAJCOMs, enhancing support for 400,000 Total Force Airmen. Girard led a SECAF International Affairs team to the Middle East, delivering a mission command symposium to 32 allied nations and advancing 27 security cooperation agreements. He also taught the United Arab Emirates’ first-ever female-integrated PME course, enhancing joint service relations. As interim Senior Enlisted Leader, he helped shape a $52 million cyber range upgrade impacting 27,000 students. Finally, recognizing a medical crisis at the Defense Health Agency, he launched Keesler’s first blood donor site, rallying 72 volunteers, and expediting lifesaving blood to 21 partner nations.
MSgt. Jurgen H. Kuse
Duty Title: Direct Accessions Manager
Organization: Air Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley Space Force Base, Colo.
Home of Record: Orlando, Fla.
In 2024, Master Sergeant Kuse’s leadership and expertise significantly bolstered Reserve officer accessions and retention, boosting Air Force resiliency and readiness across the service. He overhauled training protocols, cutting on-the-job training by 83 percent, enabling the commissioning of 1,700 officers. Kuse trained 134 recruiters and leaders, leading to 223 accessions and helping AFRC reach 101 percent end-strength for the first time in two years. Supporting Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Allvin’s “Generate Readiness” initiative, he helped reduce pay delays for 1,400 Reserve Muster attendees by 90 percent. And as ARPC Top III Vice President, he revitalized the Star Performer Award program and launched professional writing courses to enhance enlisted development.
MSgt. Aimee F. Pascas
Duty Title: Chief of Information Protection
Organization: 110th Wing Information Protection Office, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
Home of Record: Brooklyn, Mich.
Master Sergeant Pascas demonstrated her expertise and innovative spirit throughout 2024. She led a revolutionary child care beta test and hosted the CMSAF, resulting in a scalable ANG-wide program. Pascas overhauled her wing’s security policies and built an information protection program, contributing to an “Effective” Unit Inspection rating. Selected by DAF leadership, she served as the CMSAF’s Special Projects Officer, managing a $10,000 budget and leading 46 volunteers to ensure a seamless transition between the 19th and 20th CMSAFs. Finally, as Anti-Terrorism Program Manager, she chaired a threat working group in response to local risks, safeguarding 950 wing members and mission continuity. Handpicked for the First Sergeant 2.0 Course, she authored 36 blocks of instruction, standardizing training for 863 first sergeants and reshaping enlisted development across the Air Force.
MSgt. James B. Vetter Jr.
Duty Title: Action Officer
Organization: Hq. Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Home of Record: Aurora, Colo.
Master Sergeant Vetter proved invaluable to Hq. AMC in 2024. He actualized the command’s counter-drone initiative, fielding 24 systems to protect $300 billion in assets and 1 million people across nine combatant commands. He led 386 Airmen through more than 13,000 security hours across 5,000 sorties and built critical staging points supporting crisis response for the Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. withdrawal from Niger, and Haiti unrest. His efforts enabled movement of 15.4 million pounds of cargo, 1,700 personnel, and $60 million in relief, plus an evacuation plan for 180,000 Americans. Vetter pioneered AMC’s first organic cargo aircraft counter-drone capability, securing $332,000 in funding. He also served as an inspiration to others, leading volunteer events that raised more than $50,000 for outreach programs and earning his master’s in leadership. His efforts inspired his team to collectively complete a grand total of 228 credits and six degrees.
TSgt. Jamie A. Gardner
Duty Title: Retention Office Manager
Organization: 190th Force Support Squadron, Forbes Field ANG Base, Kan.
Home of Record: Lawrence, Kan.
Technical Sergeant Gardner demonstrated innovation and leadership throughout 2024. As the new Resource Manager, she resolved a nine-month financial backlog, recovering more than $600,000 in payments. Her logistical skill enabled the flawless deployment of 95 joint personnel and 24.4 tons of cargo across five AORs, earning her a Meritorious Service Medal and recognition as the 2025 Kansas ANG Outstanding NCO of the Year. Gardner developed a new Ready Airman Training Rodeo curriculum, leading 410 members through 25 tasks with a 95 percent completion rate and securing $160,000 in resources. As a Rising Six leader, she organized 82 events supporting Airman fitness, directly benefiting 75 members. Finally, her community impact included raising $1,500 for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and establishing a statewide awareness day on the dangers of impaired driving.
TSgt. Selina Ortega
Duty Title: Master Military Training Instructor
Organization: 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
Home of Record: JBSA-Lackland, Texas
Technical Sergeant Ortega exemplified professionalism and excellence throughout 2024. She educated 280 civic leaders on the 37th TRW mission, showcasing Basic Military Training innovation and AETC’s role in developing the future force for the Air and Space forces. As the BMT Curriculum Review Chair, she optimized trainee allocations, increasing participation by 12 percent without added infrastructure. Ortega launched the “Ask an MTI” program, aligning 64 instructors for 672 recruits, leading to a 23 percent reduction in trainee attrition. Filling a critical executive assistant role, she forecast manpower needs, stabilizing workloads for over 600 instructors. She also implemented a peer-to-peer survey to refine the Master MTI certification process, increasing certifications by 4 percent. Finally, Ortega created the “Warhawk Podcast,” which reached 1,200 Airmen and has improved morale and mental health across BMT.
TSgt. Brandon L. Vazquez
Duty Title: Fuels Quality Compliance Section Chief
Organization: 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
Home of Record: St. Cloud, Fla.
Technical Sergeant Vazquez demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and ingenuity in 2024. Named the 325th’s Lance P. Sijan Jr. Enlisted Member of the Year, he led 45 Airmen across five sections in five joint exercises, delivering over 8 million pounds of fuel and generating 1,700 sorties across 14 units. Vazquez leveraged his Green Belt certification to revamp 11 fuel programs, boosting fleet readiness from 32 to 86 percent in just one week. He overhauled Lackland’s MTI eval program, closing SME (subject-matter expert) gaps and producing 25 “Blue Ropes.” Partnering with the 95th Fighter Squadron, he pioneered hot-refuel ops, certifying 15 Airmen and cutting jet regeneration time by 75 percent. As the first Airman to complete the Navy’s “Chief Season,” he earned Honorary Navy Chief honors. He capped off 2024 by leading the wing’s Airpower Leadership Academy, shaping future leaders.
SSgt. Matthew C. Sanders
Duty Title: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment NCOIC
Organization: 19th Civil Engineer Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
Home of Record: Ridgecrest, Calif.
Staff Sergeant Sanders excelled in 2024 by managing seven-unit type codes and three munitions accounts worth $15.2 million. His leadership enabled 57 off-base responses, earning his team multiple wing awards. During a 205-day deployment, he led four joint exercises with Naval Special Warfare units, training 34 members. Then, following a deadly drone strike, his post-blast analysis led to POTUS-directed strikes on 86 high-value targets, earning him a Joint Service Commendation Medal. He eliminated a 174-case backlog at the Army forensics lab, processing over 2,500 Iranian weapons, and updated terrorist exploitation tactics and procedures for 6,500 EOD technicians DOD-wide. Off-duty, he volunteered with his church to build a child care center and facilitated peer counseling, boosting morale across his joint service team.
SSgt. Lucas K. Shappell
Duty Title: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Journeyman
Organization: 934th Civil Engineering Squadron, Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minn.
Home of Record: Minneapolis
Staff Sergeant Shappell distinguished himself through unwavering mission focus and excellence in service. Drawing on Naval Warfare experience, he led advanced small squad training in close-quarters battle, equipping 11 personnel with critical urban combat tactics. During a response to an unexploded ordinance, he advised Kosovo Security Forces, applying U.S. tactics and procedures—enhancing service interoperability and helping bolster regional security. Shappell also developed threat ID training for federal agents and qualified 120 allied members during a humanitarian mine action mission. As an explosive SME (subject-matter expert), he corrected 15 flaws for the U.S. Forest Service, avoiding major R&D costs. He also volunteered with the sheriff’s department, aiding in recovery of a submerged vehicle tied to criminal activity.
SrA. Roman Bereguta
Duty Title: Financial Accounting Technician
Organization: 21st Comptroller Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
Home of Record: Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Senior Airman Bereguta distinguished himself in 2024 by performing duties well above his grade. He filled an E-6-level role, leading a team that validated a $4.8 billion budget, supporting 23 bases. His outstanding performance earned him Senior Airman Below-the-Zone selection. During a 189-day deployment, he served as a trilingual interpreter for senior leaders, enabling the transfer of $10 billion in U.S. weapons to Ukraine—helping protect 43 million lives and safeguard $8 billion in assets. As NATO SOF’s sole linguist on their first deployment to Ukraine, he translated 60 pages of top-secret transmissions. In 2024, he also completed his Community College of the Air Force degree and several PME courses. Finally, his leadership helped raise over $2,000 in support of refugee aid efforts.
SrA. Amal Djezzar
Duty Title: Contract Specialist
Organization: 99th Contracting Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
Home of Record: Las Vegas
Senior Airman Djezzar demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise beyond her rank, which led to her promotion below the zone. Amid 50 percent manning, she excelled in a SNCO role, executing 48 critical actions worth $6 million. While deployed for Operation Spartan Shield, she revamped Saudi customs forms, boosting bomber task force mission efficiency by 90 percent across 75 targets. She also played a key role in transitioning ACC’s largest medical contract to the Defense Health Agency, impacting 12,000 personnel and 330,000 beneficiaries—earning praise from the AFCENT Commander. Leveraging her MBA and multilingual skills, she partnered with Royal Saudi Air Force’s Chief Master Sergeant to lead an all-female workforce initiative and launched Prince Sultan Air Base University’s first Arabic course—saving the Department of the Air Force $150,000 in tuition costs.
SrA. Eleanor R. Warren
Duty Title: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
Organization: 192nd Intelligence Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Home of Record: Mechanicsville, Va.
Senior Airman Warren was the epitome of the Air Force core values in 2024. She deployed to Japan, supporting 94 missions, producing 302 imagery reports, and 87 analytical products for the U.S.-Australia-Japan intelligence cell. She pioneered a cross-classification solution, enabling first-ever tracking of vessels violating U.N. sanctions on North Korea. Warren translated Japanese recognition guides, enhancing partner interoperability and enabled approval of 13 taskings and fragmentation orders supporting sensitive operations in contested environments. Warren supported four State Department engagements with Sudanese and Libyan leaders, advancing diplomatic security, airspace access, and counterterrorism goals. Outside her primary responsibilities, she organized a 120-member multinational lacrosse team and founded the base’s first youth lacrosse team, mentoring young athletes.
