JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 514th Air Mobility Wing celebrated its 2024 Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 1 at Tommy B’s Community Center on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The annual event serves to recognize Airmen from enlisted ranks and field grade officer ranks, as well as civilian employees, and volunteer Key Support Liaisons for outstanding performance.
“Our Freedom Wing awards banquet gives us the opportunity to celebrate top performers in the 514th Air Mobility Wing,” said Col. Chris Holland, 514th AMW Wing Commander. “Each of these outstanding Airmen deserved to be nominated for these awards and they represent the best of the best of the Freedom Wing.”
Reserve Citizen Airmen from throughout the wing, honorary commanders, and their guests celebrated the wing’s success while socializing and enjoying a catered dinner. During the program, Corey Jones, a retired police officer with the Mt. Laurel Police Department, provided keynote remarks.
Jones spoke about the importance of being able to recognize activating or stressful events and working toward finding effective new approaches to dealing with them. His career experience provided insight into techniques our service members can use when dealing with day-to-day challenges and those specific to military life.
When the time came to announce the winners, the room filled with cheers, applause, and even the occasional striking of a gong.
Holland presented the annual awards to the following Airmen and civilians:
- Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Lindsay M. Certain, 35th Aerial Port Squadron
- Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Elijah Davis Jr., 35th APS
- Senior NCO of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Yvette Gonzales, 514th Operations Support Squadron
- First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Crystal Malsom, 514th AMW
- Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. George W. Bates Jr., 514th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Civilian of the Year: Ms. Siannie L. Concepcion, 514th Force Support Squadron
- Key Support Liaison of the Year: Mrs. Yashira Husset, 88th Aerial Port Squadron
- Honor Guardsman of the Year: Master Sgt. Marjorie Negron, 514th Operations Group
- Major General Joseph A. McNeil Award: Senior Master Sgt. Jamal K. Archer, 35th APS
- Chief Master Sgt. Corinne E. Aimable Award: Senior Master Sgt. Rashad H. Pleasant, 514th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Jon Purroy Mitchel Cup Award: Senior Airman Ben Adam, 514th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
These individuals will go on to compete with other wing-level winners for the 4th Air Force First Sergeant of the Year, Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year, and the Reserve Officer Association Junior Officer of the Year. The 4th Air Force winners will then compete for the Air Force Reserve Command awards, before ultimately being considered for the most prestigious Air Force Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year and the Air Force First Sergeant of the Year.