104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base Recognizes Outstanding Members at 39th Annual Awards Ceremony Published April 7, 2013 By 010413 Barnes Air National Guard Base, 104th Fighter Wing - Westfield -- The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base will recognize about 100 members at the 39th Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 5 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield, Massachusetts. The annual awards recognize top enlisted, company grade and civilian personnel. Recipients are personnel assigned to Barnes Air National Guard Base who have made outstanding contributions to the unit and the Air National Guard, and who have displayed exceptional leadership both on and off duty. The 104th Fighter Wing will also recognize about 10 members graduating from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). "This annual awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognize the very best of the best," said Col. James Keefe, Commander. "I am extremely proud of these individuals, who exemplify our tradition of excellence. We also want to thank the families, who enabled these members to succeed. Without family and community support, we would not succeed." Individuals are recognized at flight, squadron, group and Fighter Wing levels. Awards include Airman of the Year, for grades E-4 and below; NCO of the Year, grades E-5 and E-6; Senior NCO of the Year, grades E-7 through E-9; AGR/Technician of the Year, full-time Air Guard Reserve and dual-status technicians; Company Grade Officer of the Year, grades O-1 through O-3; First Sergeant of the Year; Honor Guard Member of the Year and Civilian of the Year. Beyond the local level, awardees will also compete at state and national levels for National Guard and Air Force recognition. The top Wing-level winners are: Airman of the Year Staff Sgt. Charles Diaz - Medical Group Hometown: Westfield, MA Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Tech. Sgt. Michael Kearns - Maintenance Group Hometown: Westfield, MA Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Master Sgt. Yasser Menwer - Operations Group Hometown: Holyoke, MA AGR /Technician of the Year TSgt Jeremiah McClosky, Civil Engineering Hometown: Southwick, MA Company Grade Officer of the Year Capt Osme Benedict - Operations Group Hometown: Westfield, MA Civilian of the Year Mr. Jeffrey Dubois Hometown: Tyngsboro, MA First Sergeant of the Year Master Sgt. Larry Brace - Maintenance Hometown: Westfield, MA 104th Honor Guard NCO of the Year (State-wide) TSgt Eric Breault Hometown: Chicopee, MA