National Recognition

  • Published
  • By Maj. Matthew Mutti, Wing Executive Officer
  • 104th Fighter Wing
During the months of February through April, many of the 104th Fighter Wing's members were recognized as being among the best in their respective fields. Annually the National Guard competes members from different wings and globally separated units within specified career fields to determine who is the best within the fighting force.

During the April Commander's Call, Maj. Gen. Joseph Carter, The Adjutant General, identified three members who had recently been selected for Air Reserve Component level recognition. These members competed against other members of the Logistic Readiness career field throughout the Reserve Component.

Senior Airman John Bermudez was selected as the Air Reserve Component Traffic Management Airman of the Year. He was recognized for his dedication within the TMO office, generating tickets for unit members, packing and processing cargo in relation to the F-15 mission in preparation for the ASA stand-up.

Master Sgt. Daniel Torres was identified as the Air Reserve Component Vehicle Operations Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Master Sgt. Torres was identified for his commitment to the Vehicle Management Flight, working to ensure the unit had operational snow removal and FOD removal equipment to support the new F-15 mission. Master Sgt. Torres also deployed during the award period, supporting vehicle operations in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Orifice was also recognized as an Air Reserve Component leader, as the Fuels Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Senior Master Sgt Orifice was recognized for his efforts leading a crew of aircraft fuels specialists who are responsible for providing fuel to the 18 F-15s at Barnes, but also to any transit aircraft that comes to the base.

In addition to these members, the base had two additional members recognized in the past few months. Maj. Sean Halbrook was recognized by First Air Force as the ASA Alert Pilot of the Year. In the past year, Maj. Halbrook stood alert at multiple sites throughout the US, to include Florida and New Orleans, in preparation for the unit to stand up its alert mission on February 15th of this year.

Lastly, Senior Master Sgt. Robert Sabonis was nationally recognized by receiving 3rd place in the National Guard Bureau's Photographer of the Year competition, as well as placing 3rd in the Illustrative Photograph category for his F-15 collage print used for retirements and other special presentations. Sabonis is the full-time Public Affairs NCO on base, and has captured many major unit milestones throughout the past year.