Reservist among Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Published July 9, 2008

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- An Air Force reservist from Hill AFB, Utah, is one of the Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2008.

Staff Sgt. Eric Eberhard is an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with Air Force Reserve Command's 419th Fighter Wing.

He served in the Marine Corps Reserve for eight years before joining the Air Force Reserve. Although he is finishing a degree in architecture from the University of Utah, his choice for a military career was EOD. He graduated from the joint service course in 2005 and performed duty at the White House in support of the president.

When Sergeant Eberhard went to tech school, he left when his first daughter was 4 months old. His second daughter was born while he was serving a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"I called my wife every day but one while deployed," he said. "She is my personal hero - dedicated, supportive, faithful, loving, charitable - an unrivaled wingman."

An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas, considered 33 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Air Staff agencies. The board selected the 12 based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

The nominees are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon, while the 12 winners will wear the bronze service star device on the ribbon. The winners will also wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

The Air Force Association will honor Sergeant Eberhard and his fellow Outstanding Airmen during its Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., this September. The Airmen will also serve as members of the AFA's enlisted advisory council for the next year. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)