Space Force Announces 12 Outstanding Airmen, Guardians, and Civilians of the Year

Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond and Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman announced the 2019 USSF Outstanding Airmen, Guardians, and Civilians of the year in a video posted to social media on April 13.

Raymond said each of the winners have “gone above and beyond,” and “demonstrated incredible agility, innovation, and boldness.” He thanked each of them for their service, leadership, and contributions to the service, noting they have all “made history.”

“The 12 of you form the very best of our nationally critical service. Your actions deliver advantages every day to the nation, to the joint force, and to the American people,” Raymond said. “… Thank you for pushing the limits of what’s possible, for changing the status quo, for challenging us to rethink our assumptions, for orienting our actions in a warfighting domain. Each of you live our motto, you ensure our nation is ‘Always Above.’”

The winners were originally going to be recognized during an event in 2020, which was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Space Force leaders posted the video to “give the winners the recognition they deserve,” the service said in a statement.

The Air Force Association will shine a spotlight on each of the 12 winners over the next few weeks.

They are:

  • Capt. Deborah B. Kim, Space and Missile Systems Center
  • Senior Master Sgt. Cory L. Shipp, 50th Force Support Squadron, 50th Space Wing
  • Master Sgt. Shannon M. Brady, 721st Operations Group, 21st Space Wing
  • Tech Sgt. Jacob A. Frierdich, 460th Force Support Squadron, 460th Space Wing
  • Tech Sgt. Gregory W. Johnson, 460th Force Support Squadron, 460th Space Wing
  • Staff Sgt. Akia D. Carter, 30th Force Support Squadron, 30th Space Wing
  • Senior Airman Cassidy B. Basney, 50th Operations Support Squadron, 50th Space Wing
  • Aaron M. Solano, Space and Missile Systems Center
  • Justin C. Hensley, 460th Space Control Squadron, 460th Space Wing
  • Nina R. Charlier, 45th Force Support Squadron, 45th Space Wing
  • Christopher L. Dodson, 614th Air and Space Operations Center
  • Jennifer L. Connot, Space and Missile Systems Center