USAFE announces annual award nominees Published March 19, 2007 RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- For Tech. Sgt. Brian Lavigne, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Annual Awards Banquet is the end result of a good thing that just kept getting better. When the NCOIC of the Maintenance Operations Center for the 606th Air Control Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, learned he was selected as the top NCO for his squadron, he was honored and contented. Then came base-level accolades. And now, on April 6, Sergeant Lavigne will be among 77 nominees competing for USAFE honors in the category of Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. The other categories are Airman, Senior NCO, Company Grade Officer, First Sergeant, and Civilian -- Categories I and II. The USAFE top finishers will continue on for possible Air Force-level honors as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. But getting there isn't a priority for the 34-year-old native of Massena, N.Y., who said he is humbled by being nominated for the major command level. "I look around and say, 'how did I get here?' This thing just kept snowballing and has really caught me off guard," said Sergeant Lavigne. "I just feel honored to be nominated for this award - or any award for that matter. I am humbled daily by the efforts of the Airmen around me. They are the ones who motivate me every day." Senior Airman Kathrine Voirol also points to those around her at the 422nd Communications Squadron at Royal Air Force Croughton, England, for making her selection all the more memorable. "I feel privileged to be chosen to represent all the Airmen whose hard work and dedication make the 501st Combat Support Wing such an outstanding wing. I hope they can all see, by my example, that it is an attainable goal and something to strive for," said Airman Voirol, a 22-year-old Standardized Tactical Entry Point Manager from Hamilton, Ind. Senior Master Sgt. Henry Parker has had a year now to reflect about being a USAFE nominee and ultimately achieving a seat among the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. "Wow, it was really an awesome and humbling experience because I was representing an all star team, to include my wing leadership," said Sergeant Parker, superintendent for the 65th Services Squadron at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. "I'm a firm believer that leadership either inflates or deflates an organization. At Lajes, I was not only given an opportunity to excel, but I had my leadership trust and support all the way." Already dedicated to his career field, Sergeant Parker said the honor he received only further entrenched his desire and dedication. "It made me raise my level of professionalism because I know I represent the Services career field and the people that supported me throughout my career. I take a tremendous amount of pride in being a Services specialist and believe that it is hard to match my pride and enthusiasm concerning the Service career field. Therefore, I consider my achievement a team accomplishment because I would be foolish to think I did it alone." In addition to those he works with now, Sergeant Parker also credits the role of two mentors who've helped him further his Air Force career - George Price and Edward Hood -- who are now retired but continue to stress the importance of teamwork and caring for people. It's been a great year for Sergeant Parker, and he said he knows this year's nominees will share those feelings. "I wish all the nominees the best of luck. To reach the USAFE level speaks volumes about their character and professionalism. I know during my selection anyone one of the nominees could have easily won, but it was Team Services night and I'm humbled to the fact that there are thousands of Air Force superstars that are doing great things in preserving our freedom and way of life." Banquet tickets remain on sale until March 29 and can be purchased from wing command chief master sergeants or organization first sergeants. The nominees for this year's awards are: Headquarters USAFE & 3rd Air Force: Airman: Airman 1st Class Alex Eudy, 21st OWS NCO: Staff Sgt. Michael Huffman, 2nd ASOS Senior NCO: SMSgt. Brett Rice, USAFE/CSS 1st Sgt: SMSgt. Adrian Wineland, 4th ASOS Civilian Category I: Janene Stallcup, USAFE/CCX Civilian Category II: Henry MacQueen, 3rd AF-UK/A3 CGO: Capt. Jerry Ruiz, USAFE LSS/CSS 31st Fighter Wing -- Aviano Air Base, Italy: Airman: SrA. Dominick Griego, 31st LRS NCO: SSgt. Howard Loughran, 31st CES Senior NCO: Master Sgt. Edward Huk, 31st CS 1st Sgt: MSgt. Kevin Dooms, 31st AMXS Civilian Category I: Luciano Trevisan, 31st CES Civilian Category II: Susan Aper, 31st LRS CGO: Kevin Tanner, 31st AMXS 38th Combat Support Wing: Airman: SrA. Ryan Corbin, 702nd MUNSS NCO: TSgt. Michael Walker, Det 5, 2nd AIRPS Senior NCO: MSgt. Teresa Stokes, 470th ABS 1st Sgt: MSgt. Derrick Parnell, 702nd MUNSS Civilian Category I: Michelle Austin, 38th CSW Civilian Category II: Hermann Fladerer, 38th CSW CGO: Capt. John Dines, 702nd MUNSS 39th Air Base Wing -- Incirlik Air Base, Turkey: Airman: SrA. Erik Catalfu, 39th CS NCO: TSgt. Valerie Mullens, 39th CS Senior NCO: MSgt. Demetria Burgohy, 39th LRS 1st Sgt: MSgt. William Peoples Jr., 39th SFS Civilian Category I: Leonora Simmons, 39th CONS Civilian Category II: Yvonne Haskins, 39th SVS CGO: Capt. James Duncan Alves Jr., 39th SFS 48th Fighter Wing - Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England: Airman: SrA. Andrew Satterfield, 48th MDSS NCO: SSgt. Billie Tuck, 48th CONS Senior NCO: SMSgt. Gerald Euler Jr., 48th MXG 1st Sgt: SMSgt. Shelina Frey, 48th MDG Civilian Category I: Darren Penrose, 48th CEW Civilian Category II: Sarah Wallace, 48th MXG CGO: Capt. Stefanie Peterson, 48th FW 52nd Fighter Wing -- Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany: Airman: SrA. Tamara Barrett, 52nd FW NCO: TSgt. Brian Lavigne, 606th ACS Senior NCO: SMSgt. Donald Tubbs, 52nd SFS 1st Sgt: SMSgt. Cheryl Nurse, 52nd MDG Civilian Category I - Karen Sconyers, 23rd FS Civilian Category II - Brian Valentine, 52nd OSS CGO: Capt. Anthony Brim, 22nd FS 65th Air Base Wing -- Lajes Field, Azores: Airman: A1C. Jason Fowler, 65th CS NCO: SSgt. Jerry Thompson, 65th MDOS Senior NCO: MSgt. Christopher Thurlow, 65th CS 1st Sgt: MSgt. James Ritchie, 65th LRS Civilian Category I: Chiqui Van Liere, 65th SVS Civilian Category II: Donald Ehrman, 65th SVS CGO: Capt. Derec Hudson, 65th MDOS 86th Airlift Wing -- Ramstein Air Base, Germany: Airman: SrA. Mitcheal Nairn, 786th SFS NCO: TSgt. Hector Nieves, 86th AMS Senior NCO: MSgt. Rodney Lindsey, 86th AES 1st Sgt: SMSgt. Gregory Brown, 786th SFS Civilian Category I: Elisabeth Stokes, 86th AES Civilian Category II: Carol Burbridge, 76th AS CGO: Capt. Daniel Cornelius, 86th AMXS 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England: Airman: SrA. Melissa Collins, 351st ARS NCO: SSgt. Joseph Ciulla, 100th MXS Senior NCO: MSgt. Troy Blackburn, 100th ARW 1st Sgt: MSgt. Kevin Hawks, 100th MXS Civilian Category I: Roland Burson, 100th ARW Civilian Category II: Steven Perry, 100th CES CGO: Capt. Joe Wildman, 100th SFS 435th Air Base Wing -- Ramstein Air Base, Germany: Airman: A1C. Alston Calderon, 435th CES NCO: TSgt. Cameron Engleman, 435th CES Senior NCO: SMSgt. Christopher Arnold, 435th MUNS 1st Sgt: SMSgt. Robin McNatt, 435th ABW Civilian Category I: Rosaura Hunter, 435th MDSS Civilian Category II: Coy Webb, 735th CES CGO: Capt. Derek Strunk, 435th LRS 501st Combat Support Wing -- RAF Mildenhall, England: Airman: SrA. Kathrine Voirol, 422nd CS NCO: TSgt. Sachiko Jones, 423rd SVS Senior NCO: MSgt. Jeanne Vogt, 422nd CS 1st Sgt: SMSgt. Victor Gagnon, 423rd ABG Civilian Category I: Charmaine Dunn, 501st CSW Civilian Category II: Garry Pascoe, 420th CES CGO: Capt. Yon Dugger, 423rd SFS