MSgt. Jeffrey Gray of the 328th Airlift Squadron at Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y., has been named the Air Force’s First Sergeant of the Year for 2008, Air Force Reserve Command announced July 9. He is reportedly the first Reservist chosen for the annual award since the Air Force introduced it in 1985. Gray is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and a 12-year veteran firefighter in Buffalo. He recently deployed to Afghanistan for eight months with the 755th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. He will receive his award in August at the Air Force Sergeants Association’s annual convention in San Antonio.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.