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188th well represented in Arkansas Outstanding Airman of the Year competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Martin
  • 188th Wing Public Affairs
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  The 2014 Arkansas Outstanding Airman of the Year selection board convened Jan. 26, 2015, to select Airmen from the 188th Wing and the 189th Airlift Wing who distinguished themselves from their peers by their performance and dedication.

The five different categories were Airman, non-commissioned officer, senior NCO, first sergeant and honor guard. Members of the 188th were selected for three of the five award classifications.

"I am tremendously proud of the accomplishments of these outstanding Airmen," said Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, commander of the 188th Wing. "It has been a great year for the 188th and is an honor to have these individuals represent our wing at the state level and further in the national competition. We congratulate them for their hard work and help in making the 188th the premier wing in the nation."

Master Sgt. Jean Schnauffer, then a technical sergeant at the time of submission, of the 188th Force Support Squadron, was selected to be the NCO of the Year for Arkansas.

"Schnauffer brings an amazing attitude and spirit of leadership to the 188th Wing each day," said Maj. James Garvey, 188th Force Support Squadron commander. "Her glass is always half full and there's not a task or program that she is afraid to tackle. She always goes above and beyond the expectations of her peers and leadership and it's an honor to work with her."

Schnauffer has proved herself in a myriad of ways to the selection board, including being hand selected as the conversion organization chart liaison, becoming the first-ever wing resiliency train-the-trainer instructor and being the civic ambassador for the 188th during Beautify Fort Smith.

"I am humbled to receive this award," Schnauffer said. "Winning this award proves teamwork and dedication pay off. I might have done well at my job, but it was due to a lot of other peoples hard work. I would like to thank the 188th for the honor to represent the Arkansas Air National Guard."

Master Sgt. John Ashworth of the 188th Medical Group won the First Sergeant of the Year award for Arkansas.

"The 188th MDG is truly fortunate to have Ashworth as our first sergeant," said Col. Misty Zelk, commander of the 188th MDG. "He lives true to the spirit of his position and it shows in how he cares for our Airmen. I consider myself blessed as a commander to have such a stellar first sergeant be a crucial member of my leadership team."

Ashworth's accomplishments include serving two years as president of the 188th Wing First Sergeant Council, developing the Family Care Plan tracking program that is utilized base wide, initiating formation of the MDG Unit Advisory Council and leading a successful MDG Wingman Day unit program.

"The OAY process has been truly fantastic," Ashworth said. "This experience helped me realize how important the team concept is and has impressed on me how important it is to go into my unit, encourage others to desire excellence, and then recognize them for that excellence."

Senior Airman Ashley Feist of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron received the Honor Guard Member of the Year award for Arkansas.

"Feist has pride rarely seen by others in her peer group and she is always willing to go the extra mile to accomplish any task set before her, on or off duty," said Lt. Col. Tina Lipscomb, commander of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron. "She is always the first to volunteer for special projects, career development and unit functions from Family Day to squadron promotions. She shines in professionalism, genuine kindness and physical fitness and is an example for other Airmen to emulate."

Feist is currently a member of the 189th AW honor guard and has participated in several community events, including funerals and homecomings. She also participated in Honor Guard detail at Senior NCO induction, Security Forces Squadron Change of Command Ceremony and a 123rd Intelligence Squadron chief master sergeant retirement ceremony.

"I would like thank everyone who helped me prepare for this," said Feist. "It is truly an honor to have been chosen for this award. I have achieved something I thought I could only dream about."

The winners will compete against other nominees across the nation in the National Guard Bureau Outstanding Airmen of the Year competition.

188th well represented in Arkansas Outstanding Airman of the Year competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Martin
  • 188th Wing Public Affairs
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  The 2014 Arkansas Outstanding Airman of the Year selection board convened Jan. 26, 2015, to select Airmen from the 188th Wing and the 189th Airlift Wing who distinguished themselves from their peers by their performance and dedication.

The five different categories were Airman, non-commissioned officer, senior NCO, first sergeant and honor guard. Members of the 188th were selected for three of the five award classifications.

"I am tremendously proud of the accomplishments of these outstanding Airmen," said Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, commander of the 188th Wing. "It has been a great year for the 188th and is an honor to have these individuals represent our wing at the state level and further in the national competition. We congratulate them for their hard work and help in making the 188th the premier wing in the nation."

Master Sgt. Jean Schnauffer, then a technical sergeant at the time of submission, of the 188th Force Support Squadron, was selected to be the NCO of the Year for Arkansas.

"Schnauffer brings an amazing attitude and spirit of leadership to the 188th Wing each day," said Maj. James Garvey, 188th Force Support Squadron commander. "Her glass is always half full and there's not a task or program that she is afraid to tackle. She always goes above and beyond the expectations of her peers and leadership and it's an honor to work with her."

Schnauffer has proved herself in a myriad of ways to the selection board, including being hand selected as the conversion organization chart liaison, becoming the first-ever wing resiliency train-the-trainer instructor and being the civic ambassador for the 188th during Beautify Fort Smith.

"I am humbled to receive this award," Schnauffer said. "Winning this award proves teamwork and dedication pay off. I might have done well at my job, but it was due to a lot of other peoples hard work. I would like to thank the 188th for the honor to represent the Arkansas Air National Guard."

Master Sgt. John Ashworth of the 188th Medical Group won the First Sergeant of the Year award for Arkansas.

"The 188th MDG is truly fortunate to have Ashworth as our first sergeant," said Col. Misty Zelk, commander of the 188th MDG. "He lives true to the spirit of his position and it shows in how he cares for our Airmen. I consider myself blessed as a commander to have such a stellar first sergeant be a crucial member of my leadership team."

Ashworth's accomplishments include serving two years as president of the 188th Wing First Sergeant Council, developing the Family Care Plan tracking program that is utilized base wide, initiating formation of the MDG Unit Advisory Council and leading a successful MDG Wingman Day unit program.

"The OAY process has been truly fantastic," Ashworth said. "This experience helped me realize how important the team concept is and has impressed on me how important it is to go into my unit, encourage others to desire excellence, and then recognize them for that excellence."

Senior Airman Ashley Feist of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron received the Honor Guard Member of the Year award for Arkansas.

"Feist has pride rarely seen by others in her peer group and she is always willing to go the extra mile to accomplish any task set before her, on or off duty," said Lt. Col. Tina Lipscomb, commander of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron. "She is always the first to volunteer for special projects, career development and unit functions from Family Day to squadron promotions. She shines in professionalism, genuine kindness and physical fitness and is an example for other Airmen to emulate."

Feist is currently a member of the 189th AW honor guard and has participated in several community events, including funerals and homecomings. She also participated in Honor Guard detail at Senior NCO induction, Security Forces Squadron Change of Command Ceremony and a 123rd Intelligence Squadron chief master sergeant retirement ceremony.

"I would like thank everyone who helped me prepare for this," said Feist. "It is truly an honor to have been chosen for this award. I have achieved something I thought I could only dream about."

The winners will compete against other nominees across the nation in the National Guard Bureau Outstanding Airmen of the Year competition.