2 in command named Air Force outstanding airmen

Published June 22, 2006

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- When the Air Force announced its 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year June 16, two members of Air Force Reserve Command were among the honored.

Master Sgt. Renee L. Williams, Headquarters AFRC, Robins AFB, and Senior Airman Eric J. Pena, 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Calif., competed against 31other nominees from all across the Air Force to earn the distinction.

A board at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas, evaluated and chose the 12 outstanding airmen based on leadership, job performance and personal success.

Sergeant Williams is the equipment manager for AFRC's small arms program and support equipment for the C-5, C-141 and C-17 aircraft. She works closely with units to make sure the right balance of equipment is available, so they can train and support both peace and war time missions.

For the small arms program, Sergeant Williams' quick-thinking and innovative approach to problem solving saved the command $150,000 by allocating weapons from closing units to fill shortages throughout the command.

Sergeant Williams joined the Air Force after her father suggested she see the world. The Michigan native has gotten to travel with assignments in the United Kingdom, Korea, Japan, and the United States. Now, 17 years later, she's proud to call it her career.

"I have so much respect for out total force and what they bring to the fight," said Sergeant Williams. "I'm humbled."

Airman Pena, a traditional reservist with the 349th Security Forces Squadron, has served on active-duty orders the last two years. As a combat arms instructor, the California native collaborates with the Travis AFB security forces squadron to train more than 6,000 Airmen annually.

During a recent volunteer six-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served as a turret gunner for convoys operating in Baghdad. Airman Pena later moved to the Central Criminal Court of Iraq U.S. Embassy, where supervisors lauded him for "above and beyond" duty performance.

"It is the professionalism and commitment Airman Pena demonstrates every single day that makes him one of the outstanding airmen of the year," said Capt. Samuel T. Dickson, 349th SFS commander. "He is an inspiration to his co-workers - not only hard working - but genuinely an extremely good-hearted person."

"I didn't think I would like it this much," said Airman Pena, a 28-year-old newlywed, commenting on his selection as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. "Now I want to be able to reach out in the community and share with everyone what a great experience being part of the Air Force Family has been for me."

Both Sergeant Williams and Airman Pena can now wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with the bronze service star device. They can also wear the Outstanding Airman Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

In addition to honors during the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September, they will also serve as members of the AFA's enlisted advisory council for one year. (AFRC News Service)