48th SFS member selected as one of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connor Estes
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Tech. Sgt. Dustin Goodwin, 48th Security Forces Squadron flight chief, was notified by Col. John Quintas, 48th Fighter Wing commander, about his selection as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2011 when the colonel visited the squadron, July 7, 2011.

"This is one of the highest awards that an Airman can receive, as it recognizes superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements and is personally selected by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force and reviewed by our chief of staff, Norman Schwartz," said Quintas. "Sergeant Goodwin is clearly very deserving of this honor and I'm incredibly proud to have him as a member of our wing."

Goodwin has deployed numerous times, most recently to Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

In November 2010, while deployed to Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Goodwin repelled a three-hour complex attack against his base and engaged 20 enemy insurgents.

Goodwin then exposed himself to mortal danger leaning over the wall, engaged and killed two enemy fighters below who had thrown hand grenades.

Goodwin's team was credited with nine enemy personnel killed, and he was personally credited with three.

For Goodwin's actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Army Combat Action Badge.

"Being selected as one of the 12 outstanding Airmen for the Air Force is not an individual award, it's something that everyone in security forces can take credit for," said Goodwin.

"It's for everyone I've deployed with, gone TDY with and work with day-to-day at home station. I've always told myself if you surround yourself with greatness, then that's what you'll become."

The highlight of winning the award for Goodwin was receiving it before leaving RAF Lakenheath.

"I leave in two weeks and have been with U.S. Air Forces in Europe for so long. I'm glad I won while I'm still here and feel very proud to represent USAFE and security forces."

Goodwin and the other 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year will be honored in Washington D.C. at the Air Force Association's fall symposium in September. The nominees are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon, with the bronze service star device. The winners are also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.