Command announces 2006 Outstanding Airmen of Year

Published April 30, 2007
By Senior Master Sgt. Elaine Mayo
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Air Force Reserve Command selected its 2006 Outstanding Airmen and First Sergeant of the Year during a banquet held at the Museum of Aviation here April 27.

The winners are:

· Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Clinton Petit, security forces journeyman and individual mobilization augmentee, 45th Security Forces Squadron, Patrick AFB, Fla.

· NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Frank Fox, aerospace ground equipment craftsman and air reserve technician, 419th Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah.

· SNCO of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Ronald Colaninno, NCO in charge of training and traditional reservist, 514th SFS, McGuire AFB, NJ.

· First Sergeant of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brimmer, first sergeant and traditional reservist, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Criteria for selection were based on an Airman's leadership, job performance, self improvement and community involvement. The next step for these four winners will be to compete against the winners from the eight other commands. This summer the Air Force will announce the 12 OAY nominees who will compete for the top positions. In September at the 12 OAY banquet the winners will be announced.

Last year we had the Airman and SNCO winners go forward to the Air Force level, explained AFRC Command Chief Master Sgt. Troy J. McIntosh. "Usually one in the group makes the list," he said. This years he's hoping three will make it.

All of the winners expressed their surprise at being selected.

The Airman of the Year, who said he had struggled with why he was nominated, was speechless upon hearing his named called. "My heart was pounding and I was sweating bullets," explained Sergeant Petit. Then when he heard his name he was "in shock and awe ... All I wanted to do was give my family a big hug and kiss." His sister, Criston, confidently confessed, "I know his courage, I knew he'd win"

Sergeant Petit began his Air Force career in 2002, assigned to the 926th SFS, New Orleans Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, La. From 2002 to 2006 he was assigned to the 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Station, Fla., and then transferred to Patrick AFB. There he's a base patrolman, entry controller and internal security response team leader. In 2006 he volunteered for Iraq, where he performed convoy and route security, IED sweeps, was truck commander and a combat life saver. "I loved my job," he said, adding that while in the desert he was promoted to staff sergeant. "It was cool to be promoted in a war zone ... I had a lot of responsibility and am thankful every day that we came home."

"I'm totally blown away, never thought it possible," explained NCO winner Sergeant Fox, after hearing his named called.

Sergeant Fox served on active duty with the Air Force from 1988 to 1993. After a six-year break in service, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 2001 as a traditional reservist and was assigned to the 944th FW, Luke AFB, Ariz. "As a civilian I felt like I was just padding someone else's pockets. I missed the military where I felt like I was making a contribution," he said. In 2003 he accepted a job as an air reserve technician at the 419th FW at Hill AFB, Utah. There he manages and schedules all periodic inspections for more than 250 pieces of aerospace ground equipment, monitors currency of more than 290 technical orders, and oversees the shop's training records. Among other tours, the sergeant also deployed to Iraq in 2006. He said, "I love my job. It gives me a challenge; I might be working on electronics in the a.m. and hydraulics in the p.m."

Like Sergeant Petit, Sergeant Fox was also surprised to be nominated. "I associate with some of the best people at work and for me to be the one thrown into the mix ... with this group of people (OAY nominees) is an honor ... these are the people I try to emulate ... I've got a lot of room to grow."

Upon hearing his name, senior NCO winner Sergeant Colaninno had many thoughts running through his head from disbelief to honor. "I'm privileged to be selected because everyone here is truly professional ... I was amazed and thought about the group (OAY nominees) because we formed a really good bond this week ... to be standing in their company I'm honored and humbled to be selected to represent AFRC."

Serving on active duty from 1983 to 1992, Sergeant Colaminno left the Air Force and entered the Inactive Reserve program in order to complete a college degree and establish himself in business. Having accomplished that, in 1998 he joined the 514th SFS as a traditional reservist and is in charge of training. Additionally he has performed many tours in the states and overseas including Kuwait and Afghanistan and supported efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He said, "I always enjoyed the Air Force and wanted to keep that alliance." In 2006 he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan, saying, "I was in New York when the towers were attacked. My office was in midtown and the first plane flew over my head while I was on my way to work. After the attack I evacuated my family ... so when the opportunity came up to go to Afghanistan, I volunteered."

First Sergeant winner Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brimmer, said "This is unbelievable. I'm humbled. Each of the shirts wanted each other to win."

Sergeant Brimmer began his Air Force career in 1983 and was assigned to McChord AFB, Wash., as a jet engine mechanic. He remained on active duty until 1992 when he joined the Reserve program as an ART with the 907th Airlift Group, Rickenbacker, Air National Guard Base, Ohio. In 1993 the group moved to Wright-Patterson AFB and became the 445th Airlift Wing. In 2002 he was selected as the first sergeant for the 89th AS, and then transferred to the 445th AMXS in 2006. During his career he has deployed numerous times stateside and overseas, including Iraq in 2005. "I know how hard everyone has worked and what the Reserve is delivering ... Every first shirt is working even when not on orders ... I'm honored and humbled," he said.

Before that Thursday evening lavish banquet where the 18 nominees learned of their fate, they spent the week basking in the warmth of southern hospitality, experiencing the graciousness of local communities, and listening to the 'war stories' of several former senior enlisted advisors and command chiefs. And much to the nominee's surprise, they only got a smattering of military briefings.

One place visited was a local rehabilitation center and hospital where the health administrator talked about medical advancements and how the health care system has affected his facility.

"Our coming here and hitting non-military topics like the hospital and learning about its health care dilemma was awesome ... We hear about health issues from a political perspective, but here we have a health care person from a small community sharing the real pain of it. It was eye opening," said Sergeant Brimmer.

During a morning symposium the nominees heard from Major Gen. Allan R. Poulin, AFRC vice commander. "You're all winners," he told the nominees, adding they have done a remarkable job and is proud to recognize them. Among other topics, the group was briefed on family readiness and learned about the newly penned Airman's Creed that replaces all others.

They also heard first hand from former command chiefs and senior enlisted advisors as they shared their wit, wisdom and pride at how far the Air Force has come.

Ninth Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Carol Smits reminisced about her Air Force career. She said, "I went to basic training in 1972 and we learned how to properly smoke a cigarette, how to put make-up on, and had to wear a girdle. We weren't allowed to fire a weapon or do the obstacle course." She added, "It's neat to see how far we've come with the whole program." She was the first woman to become a SEA.

The highlight of the week, however, was the tractor rides. Thanks to Chief Master Sgt. Terry Hood, HQ AFRC IT resource manager and tour guide, she arranged to have three tractors, a 750-gallon sprayer and one drop grasshopper available so the nominees to test their driving skills on the lawn adjacent to the rehabilitation center.

Sergeant Fox grew up on a farm but said it was still fun. He got to test-drive the sprayer; something he's never done before. For Sergeant Colaninno, "It was awesome. Being from New York City, I got to drive a big red tractor." Another city-slicker, Sergeant Petit agreed saying, "I had a blast." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)

AFRC announces 2006 OAY winners