An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Luke reservist among Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2010

  • Published
An Air Force reservist from Luke AFB, Ariz., is one the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2010.

Tech. Sgt. Stephen R. Hunter Jr. is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Luke's 944th Civil Engineer Squadron.

According to his award nomination, Sergeant Hunter took part in 107 combat missions, destroyed 29 improvised explosive devices and cleared 3,000 kilometers of critical supply routes. He volunteered and served a second, six-month deployment to Iraq.

A selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas, considered 36 nominees from major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and the Air Staff. The board picked the winners based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Every nominee may wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon. The 12 winners wear a bronze service star device on their ribbon. The winners will also wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

Air Force Association officials will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during the association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September.

The Airmen will also serve as members of the AFA's enlisted advisory council for the next year.

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)