Top performers recognized at annual awards banquet

  • Published
  • By 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- --  Homestead Air Reserve Base announced its outstanding military members of the year during the Annual Awards Banquet at the Falcon's Nest Club on March 14.

The event, co-sponsored and hosted by the 482nd Fighter Wing and the Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce, recognized outstanding military members stationed at the base.

Before the introduction of the Reserve, Air National Guard and Coast Guard award nominees, Chief Master Sgt. Troy McIntosh, Command Chief for the Air Force Reserve Command, gave a speech to the 200 people in attendance as the event's guest speaker.
It was a special event for the command chief because it is his last official speaking engagement as the highest ranking enlisted member of the Air Force Reserve. Chief McIntosh will be retiring soon after 28 years of service in the Air Force.

After Chief McIntosh's stirring speech, it was time for the announcement of the base's annual award winners. Recipients were showered with congratulatory gifts and tokens of appreciation by base commanders, military affairs committee members, local elected officials and event sponsors while passing through a long congratulatory line.

Winners of the annual awards by category were:

Senior Airman Jair Guevara, Airman of the Year
Staff Sgt Perry Simson, NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Michael Montano, Senior NCO of the Year
1st Lt Sabrina Ura, Junior Officer of the Year
Master Sgt. Luis Mateo, First Sergeant of the Year
Mr. Timothy Norton, Civilian of the Year