BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
The 940th Wing recognized its 2013 Airmen of the Year at commander's call during the unit training assembly, here, Feb. 9.
Special recognition went to Tech. Sgt. Tilly Blake, who, in addition to garnering the wing's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, was named the Team Beale NCO of the Year at a base-wide awards banquet the night prior.
Blake, an RQ-4 sensor operator assigned to the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron, was the first reservist to win NCO of the Year at the installation level, competing against more than 3,000 airmen for the award.
"Sergeant Blake's a top performer in every sense of the word. Her mission contributions are impressive, and her professional development achievements, exemplary," said Chief Master Sgt. Denny Brown, 940th Wing Command Chief.
"Even more impressive is Tilly's commitment to this wing and her fellow reservists, as well as her involvement as a volunteer in the community. This award is not only a great individual accomplishment for Sergeant Blake, but it also reflects well on the 940th Wing and the value our reservists bring to the Total Force Enterprise here at Beale," Brown said.
Other wing members named as the reserve unit's 2013 top performers were Civilian of the Year, Michelle Slusher, 940th Wing Financial Management Office, and Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Jonathan Helms, 718th Intelligence Squadron, a geographically separated unit at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Another GSU, the 701st Combat Operations Squadron, at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., claimed the remaining three annual awards, including Senior NCO of the Year, Master Sgt. Rodney Balgan; Company Grade Officer of the Year, Capt. Jason Rearick; and Field Grade Officer of the Year, Maj. Carl Dieckmann.
Also recognized were First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sgt. Eulalia Valenzuela and Western Recruiting Services' Line Recruiter of the Year, Master Sgt. James Joyal.
"It's a privilege to recognize these outstanding individuals for their superior accomplishments," said Col. Kevin Cavanagh. "The 940th Wing has built a reputation of excellence here at Beale, across the Reserve command, and throughout the Air Force. To be named a top performer among such an elite group of peers is truly a testament to each of these individuals' hard work and dedication to the mission."