FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION SALUTES TEAM OF THE YEAR FOR 2006

Contact: Ladd Everitt at (703) 247-5847 or leveritt@afa.org

Arlington, VA, April 12, 2006 – The Air Force Association will honor Air Force Services personnel with its 2006 Team of the Year Award. The five Airmen selected are representatives of a Total Force Services team numbering close to 8,000 members.

Each year, the Air Force Association recognizes a specific enlisted career field. These are professionals who display superior technical expertise, attract the praise of their superiors, and provide leadership and inspiration to their co-workers. This year, Air Force Services was selected as the Team of the Year based on their many contributions in support of the warfighter, the in-garrison force, and Air Force families at home station. Their motto, "From the Front Line to the Home Front," resonates as they proudly stand side by side with Air Force men and women, whenever and wherever needed.

The recipients of the 2006 Team of the Year Award are as follows:

JOHN J. HITCHENS
Senior Airman John J. Hitchens distinguished himself as a Fitness Specialist with the 375th Services Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. Airman Hitchens was the driving force behind the Scott Fitness Center garnering the prestigious “Premier Status Award,” recognizing it as one of top 16 facilities in the Department of Defense. He was also a key contributor to the 375th Airlift Wing receiving an “excellent” rating during the 2005 Operational Readiness Inspection. As a result of his unmatched professionalism, Airman Hitchens was selected as the 2005 Scott Air Force Base Airman of the Year.

NICOLAS A. PAULINO
Airman First Class Nicolas A. Paulino distinguished himself as a Food Service Apprentice with the 355th Services Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. During this time, Airman Paulino was the youngest service member to manage shift operations, generating $90,000 in sales. Additionally, he prepared, delivered and served 8,000 hot meals in support of the 162nd Fighter Wing’s Western Air Defense Sector and provided 4,000 ground support and flight meals for flightline workers, enabling their 24/7 operations. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a storeroom apprentice, Airman Paulino performed quality assurance surveillance on a $690,000 food service contract and reconciled 2.8 million dollars of vendor receipts, vastly improving the quality of life for 2,100 deployed personnel. His food service expertise and leadership skills rate far above his grade, and he is the recipient of the 355th Services Squadron Chef of the Year Award for 2005 and the 355th Mission Support Group Airman of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2005. He also played a vital role in his squadron receiving the 2005 Commander-in-Chief’s Special Recognition for Installation Excellence Award.

ANDREA QUINTANILLA
Airman First Class Andrea Quintanilla distinguished herself as a Food Service Specialist with the 347th Services Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, from January 12, 2005 to December 31, 2005. Airman Quintanilla’s exceptional performance was critical to the production of over 500,000 meals while helping the Food Service Operation maintain a 96% customer satisfaction rating. While deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of the Global War on Terrorism, her positive attitude and teamwork enabled the successful rotation of three B-52s, eight KC-135s and 800 deployed personnel in a timely manner, resulting in the squadron’s selection as the Wing Team of the Year. Additionally, Airman Quintanilla contributed off-duty by teaching Spanish to elementary school students, helping to raise $1,000 for the squadron’s booster club, and volunteering over 40 hours to Habitat for Humanity. The collective efforts of Airman Quintanilla resulted in her selection as the 347th Services Squadron Airman of the Year for 2005 and her nomination as the Air Force Special Operations Command Services Technician of the Year.

ASHLEY N. SAKURAI
Airman Ashley N. Sakurai distinguished herself as a Food Service Journeyman with the 35th Services Squadron, 35th Mission Support Group, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. Airman Sakurai voluntarily deployed out-of-cycle to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. While deployed, she garnered the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron Airman of the Month award for November 2005 for her outstanding customer service as a recreation specialist. Her contributions were numerous, as she organized over 60 recreational activities while issuing over $12,000 in prizes to increase the morale of more than 10,000 coalition forces. She was hand-picked by the deployed command chief master sergeant to showcase her facilities and products to the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. She was later coined by the CMSAF for her quality of life improvements.

HEATHER J. SCHAFFER
Staff Sergeant Heather J. Schaffer distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service during relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while assigned to the 153rd Services Flight, Wyoming Air National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyoming, from September 2, 2005 to September 28, 2005. During this period, her outstanding professionalism, knowledge, leadership and selfless devotion to duty resulted in the absolute best customer care and quality of life for those personnel deployed for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center. Deployed first sergeants relied upon Sergeant Schaffer’s expertise as they tracked their personnel. Her boundless motivation and unsurpassed dedication to quality of life issues set the benchmark for all others to emulate.

The Air Force Association will pay tribute to these Airmen at the Team of the Year Awards Reception & Dinner at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday, May 22, 2006.

“The distinctive accomplishments of these airmen reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force,” said AFA Chairman of the Board Stephen P. Condon. “We couldn’t be prouder of the 2006 Team of the Year and look forward to honoring them in Arlington next month.”

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The Air Force Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that educates the public about the critical role of aerospace power in the defense of our nation, advocates aerospace power and a strong national defense, and supports the United States Air Force and the Air Force family. AFA has more than 230 chapters nationally and internationally representing more than 130,000 members. Visit AFA on the internet at www.afa.org.

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