Saber Nation's annual award nominees announced Published Jan. 28, 2014 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Fighter Wing commander and command chief are pleased to announce the nominees for the wing's annual awards for 2013. The list comprises Saber Airmen recognized as the best of their respective groups including 52nd Operations Group, 52nd Maintenance Group, 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group, 52nd Mission Support Group, 52nd Medical Group and 52nd Fighter Wing/Wing Staff Agencies. "Our mission of defending American and allied interests and building partner capacity cannot exist without our Airmen," said Col. David Julazadeh, 52nd FW commander. "These phenomenal individuals not only ensured a successful 2013; they set a higher standard for their fellow Sabers to follow and aim to surpass in the future. I'm proud to serve as their commander, and I salute them for their efforts. I look forward to congratulating each of them at the upcoming annual awards banquet." "Without question, the 52nd Fighter Wing's continued success falls squarely on the shoulders of our amazing Sabers, both military and civilian," said Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, 52nd FW command chief. "Some, as a result of hard work and extraordinary dedication, have garnered special recognition. I'm grateful for their impeccable professionalism, selfless service and commitment to excellence, and I congratulate them on their well-deserved award nomination. I wish them and their families all the best in 2014 and beyond." The nominees will be presented with an annual award medallion by wing leadership during a wing all call/pep rally at Hangar 1 Feb. 7 at 11:00 am. The winners for each respective category will be announced during a Feb. 8 banquet at the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center at 6:00 pm. For more information about the ceremonies or to attend the banquet, contact your unit's first sergeant. Banquet RSVPs are requested by Jan 31. Airman of the Year Nominees -Staff Sgt. Justin Gordon (52nd Operations Support Squadron / 52nd OG) -Senior Airman Robert Caldwell (52nd MMG) -Senior Airman Gustavo Castillo (52nd FW Public Affairs / 52nd FW WSA) -Senior Airman Krysys Sierra-Arenas (52nd Dental Squadron / 52nd MDG) -Senior Airman Daniel Suarez (52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MXG) -Senior Airman Douglas Young (52nd Communications Squadron / 52nd MSG) NCO of the Year Nominees -Master Sgt. Matthew Buzzard (701st Munitions Support Squadron / 52nd MMG) -Master Sgt. Sean Buck (52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MXG) -Tech. Sgt. Marshall Black (480th Fighter Squadron / 52nd OG) -Tech. Sgt. Robert Darconte (52nd Medical Support Squadron / 52nd MDG) -Staff Sgt. Maria Diden (52nd FW Commander's Administration / 52nd FW WSA) -Staff Sgt. Esteban Granados (470th Air Base Squadron / 52nd MSG) Senior NCO of the Year Nominees -Senior Master Sgt. Rickie Frost (52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron / 52nd MSG) -Senior Master Sgt. Teresa Herrera (52nd FW Judge Advocate / 52nd FW WSA) -Master Sgt. Jeffrey Hamilton (702nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MMG) -Master Sgt. Michael Lopez (606th Air Control Squadron / 52nd OG) -Master Sgt. Shana Stewart (52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron / 52nd MDG) -Master Sgt. Holly Williams (52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MXG) First Sergeant of the Year Nominees -Senior Master Sgt. Craig Brown (52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron / 52nd MSG) -Master Sgt. Robert Blackburn (702nd Munitions Support Squadron / 52nd MMG) -Master Sgt. Daniel Duckworth (52nd MDG Group Staff / 52nd MDG) -Master Sgt. Kristy Frost (52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MXG) -Master Sgt. Jason Garo (52nd Operations Support Squadron / 52nd OG) Company Grade Officer of the Year Nominees -Capt. Asha-Lee Cadogan (52nd Medical Operations Squadron / 52nd MDG) -Capt. David Cardona (52nd Communications Squadron / 52nd MSG) -Capt. Heath Hunter (52nd Operations Support Squadron / 52nd OG) -1st Lt. Sara Harper (52nd FW Public Affairs / 52nd FW WSA) -1st Lt. Ryan VanArtsdalen (701st Munitions Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MMG) -2nd Lt. Timothy Benified (52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MXG) Field Grade Officer of the Year Nominees -Maj. Chris Haley (52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron / 52nd MXG) -Maj. Lee Holfert (52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron / 52nd MSG) -Maj. Brian Robertson (606th Air Control Squadron / 52nd OG) -Maj. Staci Staley (52nd Medical Operations Squadron / 52nd MDG) Civilian of the Year (Category I) Nominees -Jennifer Alexander (52nd Medical Operations Squadron / 52nd MDG) -Lia Gregory (52nd Operations Support Squadron / 52nd OG) -Christiane Schuch (52nd Comptroller Squadron / 52nd FW WSA) -Robert Taylor (52nd Force Support Squadron / 52nd MSG) Civilian of the Year (Category II) Nominees -Derek Johnston (52nd Comptroller Squadron / 52nd FW WSA) -Quinn Newton (52nd Civil Engineer Squadron / 52nd MSG) -Emily Posadas (52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron / 52nd MDG) -Jene Wilton (606th Air Control Squadron / 52nd OG) Honor Guardsman of the Year Nominee -Staff Sgt. Julious Del Rosario (52nd Security Forces Squadron / 52nd MSG) Military Volunteer of the Year Nominees -2nd Lt. Katrina Cheesman (Company Grade Officers Council) -Master Sgt. Robert Latimer (52nd Communications Squadron) -Master Sgt. Michael Murieen (52nd Civil Engineer Squadron) -Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah Bybee (703rd Munitions Maintenance Squadron) -Staff Sgt. Miles Mendez (52nd Civil Engineer Squadron) -Staff Sgt. Tanya Sullivan (726th Air Mobility Squadron) -Senior Airman Justin Schad (52nd Maintenance Group) -Senior Airman Carla Ulloa (52nd Operations Group) Civilian Volunteer of the Year Nominees -Andrea Demars (Airman & Family Readiness Center) -Jody Fisher (Officer's and Civilian Spouse's Club) -Heide Woods (Filipino American University)