One of Vandenberg's own honored as one of Air Force's greatest

Team V recognizes their Airman of the Year

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Posing for a photo, Staff Sgt. Nora Limjoco, a 30th Medical Operations Squadron dental lab technician, smiles during a photo shoot at the dental clinic here Thursday, July 14, 2011. Sergeant Limjoco earned the Air Force Airman of the Year award. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)

Published July 15, 2011
By 2nd Lt. Austin Fallin

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif -- A member of Vandenberg's Dental Flight has been named one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Staff Sgt. Nora Limjoco, a dental lab technician, was selected based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

"It's an honor," she said. "I went and competed against such a high caliber of people. It's really an honor to be chosen."

Limjoco's achievements include running the base's basic life support program, which certified more than 3,000 base personnel under her orchestration and optimized Vandenberg's emergency readiness.

Community involvement was a key factor considered in the selection of the 12 winners. Limjoco donated much of her free time to the Humane Society, a wild horse sanctuary and a local soup kitchen.

"I try to volunteer for things I have a passion for," she said.

Her academic achievements also played a significant role. She maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average in earning 12 credit hours toward her bachelor's degree in space studies. She hopes to transition to a space career field in the future.

She did all of this and more on top of her day-to-day duties, which consist of crafting dental crowns, bridges and retainers for patients on base.

"She's definitely raised the bar," said Master Sgt. Dennis Leon, the dental flight's noncommissioned officer in charge. "She is someone who others look at and hopefully try to emulate."

Limjoco, who was promoted to staff sergeant earlier this month, hails from Bossier City, La., and is married to Tech. Sgt. Ernest Limjoco, a biomedical engineer in Vandenberg's 30th Medical Support Squadron.