JACKSONVILLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Fla. -- The 2021 Outstanding Airmen of the Year winners have been selected at the 125th Fighter Wing. These winners will go on to compete at the state level and winners will be revealed at an awards banquet on Saturday, 8 January 2022.
They are:
Airman: SrA Dixie Wilson, Services Journeyman, 202nd RED HORSE, 125th Mission Support Group
NCO: MSgt. Matthew Brown, Avionics Craftsman, 249th Special Operations Squadron, 125th Operations Group
SNCO: SMSgt. Ian Clementson, Health Services Management Superintendent, 125th Medical Group
First Sgt.: SMSgt. Jonathan Sotomayor, First Sergeant, 202nd RED HORSE, 125th Mission Support Group
CGO: Capt. Alejandro Varela, Airfield Pavement Evaluation Team OIC, 202nd RED HORSE, 125th Mission Support Group
Civilian Employee: Mr. David Pizzuto, Unit Deployment Manager, 125th Operations Group
What sets them apart? Here are just a few of their notable achievements which led to their selection as outstanding Airmen in their respective categories:
SrA Wilson exemplified selfless service by volunteering for two high-stakes missions. She completed a nearly 8-month deployment to the Middle East as part of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and supported the COVID-19 response efforts in the state.
MSgt. Brown’s relentless pursuit of excellence was evident in his management of the squadron's Self-Inspection Program. He trained 12 personnel, oversaw 52 inspections and corrected 12 discrepancies which solidified the unit’s 93% quality assurance pass rate.
SMSgt. Clementson was a fearless leader on the frontlines of statewide COVID-19 response efforts. As the Senior Enlisted Leader onsite, he ensured Airmen were organized, trained, and equipped to support a COVID stationary site spanning two regions and 21 counties, which resulted in the administration of more than 65,000 vaccines.
Just six months into his role, 1st Sgt. Sotomayor significantly elevated squadron morale by spearheading a complete rebuilding of its Awards and Decorations program resulting in the execution of 50 packages in four months.
Capt. Varela’s double dose of strong leadership and expertise benefitted the civil engineering teams he led during an 8-month deployment supporting Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. While deployed, he conducted five airfield evaluations across three countries which thwarted over $30 million in damages to Air Force assets.
Mr. Pizzuto served as the mastermind behind moving people to their missions as unit deployment manager of the 125th OG. Most recently, Pizzuto led OG’s Operation NOBLE EAGLE mobility effort by coordinating 300 training hours for 32 personnel heading on their mission this winter.
Please help us congratulate these distinguished Airmen.