Offutt’s best honored at Annual Awards Banquet Published March 3, 2009 By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing honored its best of the best at the Annual Awards Banquet at the Patriot Club Feb. 27. The evening began with the arrival of the nominees, escorted by their guests through a saber cordon provided by the 55th Wing Honor Guard, as more than 200 attendees cheered. "I can't think of a better way to thank our people and recognize our award winners," said Retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James M. McCoy. "When I was in the service we didn't do much of this." "So I think it's great that the first sergeants, commanders and supervisors come together, and recognize these people for what they do," he said. Chief McCoy's words echoed the theme for the evening; "night of stars." Each nominee wore a golden medallion around their neck signifying they were potential award winners. Shortly after the nominee's arrival Chaplain, (Lt. Col.) Oledia F. Bell, delivered the night's invocation. During her invocation, Chaplain Bell asked God to bless the award winners, as they show the world how superior the Air Force is. After dinner, the Heartland of America Band's Raptor ensemble entertained the crowd with hits such as "Respect," "Drift Away" and "Ain't no Mountain High Enough." The band finished with "O'Beautiful," which they dedicated to all servicemembers. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. The 55th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. James J. Jones and Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa A. Sirois presented the annual awards to 13 of the 55th Wing's best. Staff Sgt. Dominque M. Nasser-Johnson, an analysis operator with the 55th Electronic Combat Group, received the NCO of the year award, but refused to accept credit for it. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the support of the men and women of the electronics communication group," Sergeant Nasser-Johnson stated. Thanks to the unit's high deployment rate, 50 percent of the office is gone at any one time, she said. This caused everyone to pull together and work that much harder, she said. This award is really a team award. "I challenge any one of you, search as long as you want to, as far and wide as you can, to try and find a military organization, any organization that's better than our U.S. Air Force," General Jones said. "The Air Force is made up of some of the finest military and civilian professionals I've ever been associated with," the general continued. That professionalism is ultimately what strikes fear in our enemies, he said. "Think of any nation that may want to stand against the United States. What are they scared of? What do they respect?" the general asked. "Our Air Force. They know that on any given day our Air Force can put a precision guided munition through any window, any building anywhere in the world." General Jones had one clear message as he explained how proud he is to serve with such professionals; thank you. "All of you have set a benchmark that we can only strive to meet. You have set the goal that the rest of us should strive to live up to, thanks for giving us something to shoot for," General Jones said to all the award winners. "You're great Americans and what you do for our Air Force can never be repaid. Thanks for choosing to serve your country, thanks for making this wing the greatest wing, in the greatest air force, in the greatest nation, the world has ever seen." The 55th Wing's 2008 annual award winners are: Airman of the Year Airman 1st Class Camber N. Valdes, 55th Mission Support Group NCO of the Year Staff Sgt. Dominque M. Nasser-Johnson, 55th Electronic Combat Group SNCO of the Year Senior Master Sgt. Brian Anderson, 55th Maintenance Group Additional Duty First Sergeant of the Year Senior Master Sgt. Mervin E. Dennis, 55th Operations Group First Sergeant of the Year Master Sgt. Max Ripple, 55th ECG Honor Guard Airman of the Year Senior Airman Josiah A. Littrell, 55th MXG Honor Guard NCO of the Year Staff Sgt. Aaron D. Molchak, 55th MSG Company Grade Officer of the Year Capt. Daniel Kananen, 55th ECG Volunteer of the Year Master Sgt. Alfred Dawson, 55th Communications Group Junior Civilian of the Year Jeffrey Braddock, 55th ECG Senior Civilian of the Year Randy M. Souder, 55th MXG Junior Craftsman of the Year Robert W. Hills, 55th MXG Senior Craftsman of the Year Tony L. Winton, 55th CG