Historic banquet hosted for airmen of the year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rayna Padgett
  • 125th Fighter Wing
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. --  

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Florida Air National Guard hosted its 2019 Airmen of the Year banquet Feb. 9, 2019 at St. Francis Barracks in St. Augustine, Florida.

Friends and family honored these notable Airmen that evening at the historic St. Francis Barracks, which was first established as a military barracks in 1765. On those ancient grounds, six winners earned the title of Airman of the Year. 

The honorees competed for the title of Airman of the Year in seven categories: Airman, Noncommissioned Officer, Senior Noncommissioned Officer, Company Grade Officer, First Sergeant and Honor Guard. The winners for those respective categories include: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Denzel Wilson; U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jonathan R. Myers; U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Zachary J. Morris; U.S. Air Force Capt. Danreb D. Faustino, U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kelly A. Caskin, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Danielle K. Nayman and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan. J. Ison.

“These outstanding Airmen of the Year represent the best in the Florida Air National Guard,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jerry F. Gardner, state command chief. 

The winners for the state of Florida will now move on to the national level to compete with Airmen across all components of the Air Force. 

The winners were presented with Florida Distinguished Service Medals, general officer and command chief coins. Ret. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Tony Patterson presented these outstanding Airmen with Letters of Appreciation, a gift card, and a coin. Also, a USAA representative, Mr. John Shockley, provided Outstanding Achievement Medallions for each Airmen including sponsoring merchandise for each recipient from USAA and Geico.

Although only seven Airmen took home this prestigious honor, 27 Airmen stood out in their respective squadrons and groups for their hard work, dedication, and embodiment of the “whole Airmen concept.” Each of these nominees received the Florida Commendation Medal as well as the general officer and command chief coins.