Wing announces outstanding Airmen of year

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Buffy Galbraith
  • 919th SOW Public Affairs
The 919th Special Operations Wing recently announced that an Airman, two noncommissioned officers and a company grade officer have been named the outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2007. 

Airman of the Year 

Senior Airman Christina L. Lilly, 919th Maintenance Squadron communication navigation mission systems, is the Airman of the Year. 

Senior Airman Lilly's work ethic directly contributed to the squadron's "Excellent" Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program rating by applying her administrative and technical expertise to more than 30 training records to ensure accuracy. 

A testament to continued self-improvement, she was recently selected by the Deserving Airman Board to attend officer candidate training and is currently working on her master's degree in public administration. 

"She's the model Airman, and she's prepared herself so well and professionally that she was selected to be the executive officer for the maintenance squadron," said Lt. Col. David Booher, 919th MXS commander. "Our expectations for her are grand." 

In addition to her full-time job at Eglin Federal Credit Union, she routinely volunteers her time to the March of Dimes, American Heart Walk, and Relay for Life. 

NCO of the Year 

Tech. Sgt. Michael P. Biseinere, 919th Maintenance Squadron electroenvironmental systems craftsman, is the NCO of the Year. 

Sergeant Biseinere's leadership and expertise was evident during joint Special Operations Forces exercise Early Victor when his actions resulted in a 100 percent launch rate for the entire duration of the deployment. This resulted in recognition from Air Force Special Operations Command for the multiple levels of combined forces. 

As an Air Reserve Technician, he led the effort to revamp training records and transcribed more than 1000 core tasks. 

"Sergeant Biseinere is a newly assigned ART and an exceedingly gifted Airman, father and family man; I am pleased to be able to call him my wingman," said Colonel Booher. "He represents the Reserve 'trifecta' so well - family, job and duty." 

Sergeant Biseinere volunteers as a head coach for the Playground Area Soccer Association in Fort Walton Beach. Committed to higher education, he is currently working toward a degree from Okaloosa Walton College. 

Senior NCO of the Year 

Senior Master Sgt. Leonard M. Jordan, 919th Security Forces Squadron superintendent, is the Senior NCO of the Year. 

A top-notch leader, Sergeant Jordan consistently displays the highest levels of professionalism and dedication to duty by mentoring and training members of his organization and leading the squadron to gain Air Force Reserve Command-recognition as one of the command's finest. 

He earned the Bronze Star medal for his achievement and service during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and continues to demonstrate his "service before self" philosophy as the Fire Team Leader, Element Leader and noncommissioned officer in charge of training, in addition to his multitude of duties as the squadron's superintendent. 

Sergeant Jordon's accomplishments spread far beyond his Reserve career. He has volunteered countless hours for the Panama City Chapter of Relay for Life, helping raise funds for cancer victims. He was also selected as the Volunteer of the Year by the Central Panhandle Chapter of the Red Cross. During his leisure time, he is pursuing a criminal justice degree from the Community College of the Air Force. 

CGO of the Year 

Capt. Carmel R. Weed Jr., 919th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer, is the Company Grade Officer of the Year. 

Captain Weed's performance as the 719th Maintenance Squadron senior ART and the 919th Maintenance Group MSEP technical advisor resulted in the group's preparation and AFRC's highest-ever "Excellent" rating. He also spearheaded the development of the MSEP Evaluator Handbook that set the standard for all inspectors. 

As the "go-to" person for assistance in package development, Captain Weed's knowledge resulted in the maintenance group earning the 2007 Daed-alian Award.
His enthusiasm for helping others reaches far beyond his military service and is appreciated in the local community for his seemingly untiring service. Captain Weed mentored a group of more than 20 teenagers at his local place of worship. In a program called "Lads to Leaders", he volunteered to help prepare young people for public service.