USAFE announces annual award recipients

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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) --  U.S. Air Forces in Europe named its 2006 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at an April 6 banquet. 

Out of 77 nominees from across Europe, the award recipients are: 

Airman of the Year - Staff Sgt. Dominick Griego from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy 

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Sachiko Jones from the 501st Combat Support Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England 

Senior NCO of the Year - Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Euler Jr., from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England 

First Sergeant of the Year - SMSgt. Robin McNatt from the 435th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany 

Civilian of the Year Category I - Darren Penrose from the 48th FW, RAF Lakenheath

Civilian of the Year Category II - Donald Ehrman from the 65th Air Base Wing, Lajes Field, Azores 

Company Grade Officer of the Year (tie) - Capt. Jerry Ruiz from USAFE Headquarters, Ramstein AB, and Capt. Joe Wildman from RAF Mildenhall 

From the enlisted winners, the award recipients were chosen from more than 25,000 fellow Airmen across the command, while the civilians competed among approximately 14,000 of their colleagues, and the company grade officers competed against about 2,300 fellow officers. 

"These award recipients represent the best of the best," said USAFE Command Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman. "Our command proudly claims an enlisted corps second to none, and I know these outstanding Airmen take deep pride in whom and what they represent. I offer heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all 77 nominees." 

The award recipients now will compete for Air Force-level honors. 

The guest speaker at the banquet was retired Gen. John P. Jumper, former Air Force Chief of Staff from 2001 to 2005, and former USAFE commander from 1997 to 2000. 

The theme for this year's banquet was the 60th anniversary for the Air Force, and the 65th anniversary for USAFE dating back to its official historical beginnings as Eighth Air Force at Savannah, Ga., on Jan. 19, 1942.