Master Sgt. Carmen Wyatt, 65th Medical Operations Squadron, earned the Medical Service Outstanding Mental Health NCO of the Year award for 2011. (Photo by Lucas Silva) Lajes' own named Outstanding Mental Health NCO in Air Force by Staff Sgt. Erica Horner 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs 2/24/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- A Lajes Airman proved to be the best of the best in the Air Force after being awarded the Medical Service Outstanding Mental Health NCO of the Year award for 2011. Master Sgt. Carmen Wyatt, Flight Chief, 65th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight, is the President of the Cross Cultural Awareness Council, highly involved in the 65th Medical Group Top IV, and is also one of the community outreach committee members for the Top III. So it comes as no surprise that she surpassed all Major Command nominees to win this prestigious award. "When I think of Master Sgt. Wyatt, I immediately think of two things--dedication and hard working," said Lt. Col. Gwendolyn Johnson, 65th MDOS commander. "Master Sgt. Wyatt gives 200 percent every day, and takes pride in everything she does." This was Wyatt's first time being submitted for the award, and she was very honored to win. "I actually found out I won on Facebook," said Wyatt. "I was excited and felt a sense of satisfaction. I knew I had a pretty good package, but never expected to win at the Air Force level," she said. This was no easy award to win. The individual had to demonstrate good moral character within the past 2-year period, and exhibit exceptional duty performance and professionalism (both on and off duty) while working in the mental health career field--and Wyatt was nothing less than exceptional. Being stationed at Lajes Field paved the way for her: "I knew about it [the award], but didn't plan for it. Things just fell into place, and I was provided with a lot of opportunities here by my leadership." Wyatt was hand-selected to attend the Department of Defense Resiliency Conference and became certified as an Active Military Families facilitator. Also, as the wing Suicide Prevention Program manager, she overhauled 12 squadron's training metrics, leading to Lajes becoming the first base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to reach 99 percent compliance. She also spearheaded Child Abuse and Substance Abuse Month, ensuring that 2,500 base members received the appropriate training and awareness. Her achievements weren't just limited to her duty hours. She also attended the Rutger's School of Alcohol Studies where she was able to renew her substance abuse certification, as well as receive additional alcohol abuse prevention techniques to help her patients. Wyatt's passion for her career field and for others proved that she was the perfect candidate for this award. It is in honor of Chief Master Sergeant Lewis W. Dunlap, the first mental health enlisted career field advisor appointed by the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, and recognizes outstanding duty performance and achievements of Mental Health Service NCOs who have been involved in training, supervising, managing, and providing direct patient care during the nomination period.