Sabers in same shop earn AF level awards Published Aug. 17, 2009 By Senior Airman Kali L. Gradishar 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Awards are distributed to Airmen and civilians highlighting their achievements every quarter of the year, and at the end of each year, one person in each career field's category is chosen as the annual award winner. While this cycle is as common as bread and butter, it is rare for two people from the same shop to receive this title in a year. "It's safe to say that having one of our Sabers win an annual award for the Air Force is amazing in itself, but to have two of our folks from the same flight win for the Air Force is practically impossible," said Master Sgt. Thomas Hartswick, 52nd Operations Support Squadron. "Spangdahlem has not only one, but two, Air Force level winners from the same flight, squadron and wing." Senior Airman Henry Matsuoka, 52nd OSS aircrew flight equipment journeyman, and John Dymond, 52nd OSS aircrew flight equipment repairer, were chosen as the 2008 Outstanding U.S. Air Force Aircrew Flight Equipment Airman of the Year and 2008 Outstanding U.S. Air Force Aircrew Flight Equipment Category I Civilian of the Year, respectively. Airman Matsuoka has been in the Air Force for more than four years, but only in his current position for two, as two aircrew sections merged to form his current duty position. "I worked in survival equipment for the first two years. Recently, survival equipment merged with life support to form aircrew flight equipment," Airman Matsuoka said. Airman Matsuoka believes he earned the award in part for his contributions downrange and for volunteering. While deployed to Iraq, he helped load and unload injured patients for transport in his free time, and donated platelets and plasma. "There was an incident where a mortar hit a few feet from where (I was) standing," the Airman said. "I was the first to see the fin sticking out of the ground and got three (people) out of harm's way before the mortar exploded." Mr. Dymond, who retired from the Air Force after 20 years as a master sergeant in 2005, earned an annual award for adapting quickly to complete tasks in his work center and contributing to the wing's excellent rating on its most recent Unit Compliance Inspection. After retiring, he remained in the Eifel region serving the base at the services squadron, as a shuttle driver, at the Outdoor Recreation Center, and finally, in his current position. He has held this position for about two years, but his roles in the section have varied greatly since he first hired. "I was hired into aircrew flight equipment with an aircrew flight equipment repairer position description, but I was asked to perform duties not assigned to me in my position description to help with (merging survival equipment and life support) and prepare for the Unit Compliance Inspection," Mr. Dymond said. "I gave my best to accomplish these tasks. "I feel very humbled by this award. I have been working in this career field less than two years and to be recognized at this level is just amazing. I am so appreciative of my supervisors for putting me in for the award," he said. Airman Matsuoka echoes the same sentiment. "It feels amazing that I am receiving such a tremendous award," Airman Matsuoka said. "I would have never received the award if my supervisors didn't submit me."