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2011 OAY nominees celebrate 30 years of AFSPC
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command welcomes its brightest stars home during the first major event marking the command's 30th anniversary celebration. The nominees for the 2011 Outstanding Airmen of the Year arrive on Peterson Air Force Base April 9 to embark on a week of professional development and engage with senior leaders, concluding with a formal banquet in their honor.
As excited as the nominees are, AFSPC's very own Command Chief is also thrilled to welcome the nominees and get to know them during events leading up to the banquet.
"As leaders, recognizing our superior performers is critically important and one of the best parts of our jobs," said Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan Jr., AFSPC command chief.
The nominees from Vandenberg are Tech. Sgt. Ian Perry, National Reconnaissance Organization and Master Sgt. Charles Shurchay from the14th Air Force.
"These Airmen represent the very best the command has to offer. That says a lot knowing the caliber of people we have and things they accomplish every day. I look forward to meeting these fine Airmen, hearing their stories and being a part of the festivities. This is truly an honor."
Throughout the week, the nominees will participate in briefings, tours and events. Among the tours are trips to the Air and Space Museum here and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The museum will give the nominees the opportunity to learn about the people, systems and events that shaped AFSPC. At the academy, they will experience a cadet's daily life and have lunch with the cadets.
An extensive event like this doesn't happen without a strong committee of volunteers who work countless hours putting everything together.
"The AFSPC OAY committee worked extremely hard to ensure the command's OAY honorees have a memorable and exciting week," said Senior Master Sgt. Kristine Jones, AFSPC Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance superintendent and AOY Committee Chair. "It takes an outstanding team to pull together an event of this magnitude. There are more small details than anyone can ever imagine. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with this great group of volunteers."
The nominees go before the OAY board April 10 for an interview and question and answer process. These results combined with their package scores determine the winners in each category to be named at the banquet.