Two AF Airmen of year from Luke Air Force Base

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout and Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Air Force officials announced Aug. 3 the names of those selected as 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2010, and two are from Luke Air Force Base.

Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hunter Jr., 944th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, was named the service's top enlisted member in the Air Force Reserve Command. Staff Sgt. Zully Birkbeck, 56th Comptroller Squadron financial management analyst, was selected from among the Air Education and Training Command candidates.

A reservist with the 944th Fighter Wing for the last seven years, Sergeant Hunter returned July 27 from a deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. This was his third time to volunteer to serve overseas in the last five years.

The decision to go overseas again was not one he made alone.

"I volunteered for this deployment and my wife supported me," Sergeant Hunter said. "It was a family decision and that helped put me in the position I'm in now."

Sergeant Hunter, whose volunteer spirit is known throughout EOD, stepped up to backfill the 56th CES EOD Flight and trained seven of his active-duty counterparts.

"There is cohesiveness between the Reserve and active duty, even in the deployed locations," he said. "I think reservists, in the past, felt like they weren't going to be accepted by others. During this deployment, I noticed that has really gone away, because we're out there working with active duty and other services. As a reservist, I really feel like I'm contributing to the war effort and the needs of the Air Force. I am proud to be serving with the Reserve and showing others what we can do."

Sergeant Hunter also served as a Secret Service shield, making sure the set was free of explosives, for the president during a Tonight Show appearance ensuring the commander-in-chief's safety.

"I feel lucky that I have had these opportunities in the last year with the 944th and 56th (FW)," Sergeant Hunter said. "I have gotten so much support from both the Reserve and active-duty EOD members."

For Master Sgt. Ted Cravener, 944th CES EOD program manager, working with Sergeant Hunter is an honor.

"Tech. Sergeant Hunter is very deserving of this honor as duties he performed were not only critical, but also dangerous - disarming and destroying improvised bombs, the insurgent's weapon of choice," Sergeant Cravener said. "He has deployed three times in the last five years and regularly puts himself in harm's way to accomplish the mission. Sergeant Hunter is a pleasure to work with. He knows his job, puts an emphasis on training, and takes care of his Airmen. I am honored to serve with him. He will represent the Air Force Reserve well."

Sergeant Hunter's group commander calls him a hero.

"Like most Americans, I stand in awe of the professionalism of our military and the tenacity and courage of our servicemembers," said Lt. Col. Paul Theisen, 944th Mission Support Group commander. "Tech. Sgt. Hunter's justifiably tremendous accomplishments speak louder than words. It's an honor to serve alongside a hero like Sergeant Hunter. I thank him and his supporting wife and family for providing inspiration to me and all the members of the 944th Mission Support Group."

On the active-duty side of the base, Sergeant Birkbeck has been stationed at Luke since Oct. 31, 2008, and returned in March from a deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

"I am very honored and humbled," she said. "I definitely feel very blessed. How I won the award is beyond me. I simply did my job, and when I came across a challenge, I looked for guidance from those around me and pressed on."

Sergeant Birkbeck said there is a misconception that working in finance is a stress-free, eight-to-four job.

"I can attest to the fact that it's quite the opposite," she said. "We typically don't see customers unless they have a problem with their pay. For those who work the front counter, there is a lot of pressure. We always strive to treat each customer as we'd like to be treated. When someone comes to our counter with an issue, having empathy is key. We make their issue our own."

Senior Master Sgt. Marlin Hill, 56th Comptroller Squadron superintendent, said Sergeant Birkbeck is an outstanding Airman.

"We are extremely proud of our Thunderbolt!" he said. "She is an exceptional representation of all the fine Airmen on Luke Air Force Base and the financial management community as well. I believe if you ask her, she would be the first one to tell you this experience has been very humbling. Furthermore, she believes there are so many Airmen who have worked hard to earn and deserve this type of recognition, but to actually be selected as one of the 12 OAY is truly a blessing. The positive energy and attitude she displays everyday radiates throughout the squadron. Regardless of the workload, she is there, giving her all, and doing everything she can to help customers and make our financial management team better."

Sergeant Birkbeck's commander says everything she touches turns to gold.

"Her greatest feat to date is that she has remained humble throughout the entire OAY process," said Lt. Col. Quy Nguyen, 56th CPTS commander. "She will tell you that any one of Luke's Airmen could have been in her shoes."

Although congratulating Sergeant Birkbeck, Colonel Nguyen also acknowledged others.

"While she is well-deserving of this remarkable individual award, I believe being one of the 12 OAY for 2010 is also a reflection of Team Luke, Air Education and Training Command and the Air Force as a whole," he said.

Colonel Nguyen continued to praise Sergeant Birkbeck by mentioning her commitment to the Air Force.

"Zully took the oath and simply carried on our traditions and core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do," he said.

From a financial management career field standpoint, this achievement also represents the first time in more than 21 years that an FM Airman has been recognized as one of the 12 OAY.

"So, I am also proud of the fact that the career field can also celebrate in this achievement," Colonel Nguyen said. "The many untold stories of selfless dedication and commitment to the Air Force and its mission to 'fly, fight and win' may now be told from an FM perspective."

Sergeant Birkbeck said 2009 was a very busy year.

"If you would have asked me at the end of the year what I thought of 2009, I would have said it was the most challenging year in my career so far," she said. "But, all of the hard work paid off and being recognized is very rewarding. I am very proud to be serving in this great Air Force."

An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and the Air Staff. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

The Air Force Association will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during its Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September. The Airmen will also serve as members of the AFA's enlisted advisory council for the next year.