Air Force Surgeon General recognizes three AFMS Airmen of the Year

Published Nov. 25, 2015
By Kevin M. Hymel
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger saluted the three Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the 2015 Senior Leadership Workshop at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Va., on Nov. 16.

“These Airmen reflect the quality of the medial force we have in the Air Force,” said Ediger. “Not only are they outstanding Airmen but they are outstanding medical personnel, dedicated to everyone in the Air Force.” Ediger called the three Airmen to the front of the conference room, packed with senior officers and enlisted personnel, to recognize them for their collective achievement.

Two of the AFMS Airmen, Senior Airman Allen R. Cherry III and Staff Sgt. Lindsey H. Fuentes, earned the honor for 2015. Tech. Sgt. Troye L. Hudson had earned it in 2014 but was deployed at the time. The Air Force annually recognizes twelve Airmen from the entire force, so two of those coming from the AFMS was a unique achievement.

“Pilots and security forces usually get these things,” said Senior Airman Cherry about the award, “but when you’re a medic, it stands out.” He credited his award on his unit. “It was a whole team effort.” Staff Sgt. Fuentes said the award was “incredibly humbling,” adding that “The recognition is incredible.” Tech. Sgt. Troye Hudson said, “To learn that all your hard work is recognized makes me proud.”

Airman Cherry, a public health technician with the 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, earned his award for validating more than 3,000 medical requirements for 406 deployers with zero discrepancies, enabling fit and ready forces for thee combatant commands and Operation United Assistance in support of the Ebola crisis in Africa. Cherry led the reintegration of 360 redeployers, coordinating a multiagency process into a one-stop shop that saved 2,000 man hours and returned Airmen to their families sooner, while upholding all Department of Defense medical requirements. He also performed 27 ceremonies while recruiting and training 11 new ceremonial guardsmen.

Sergeant Fuentes, a biomedical equipment journeyman with the 366th Medical Support Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, earned her award by managing the base’s medical maintenance department during a three-month, 66 percent manning shortfall, overseeing the completion of more than 1,000 work orders and enabling $15 million in medical care. Her unwavering dedication was a pivotal factor in the 366th Medical Group’s selection as ACC’s 2014 Best Hospital of the Year. Her keen technical insight was essential as her team calibrated 17 dental X-ray units, eliminating a $10,000 service contract and supporting 13,000 yearly dental exams. She guided two Airmen Leadership School flights with 32 students to a 100 percent graduation rate and was the recipient of the John L. Levitow Award.

Sergeant Hudson, a mental health flight chief with the 6th Medical Operations Squadron at MacDill AFB, Fla., is recognized for providing exceptional leadership for 47 personnel delivering mental health care to the DoD’s largest single-unit area, serving 220,000 beneficiaries. He deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he served as the combat stress noncommissioned officer in charge, with oversight to 11 forward operating bases and ultimately supporting 15,000 joint service members and 50 coalition nations. Hudson conducted 21 outside-the-wire missions to assist more than 100 Airmen in crisis. He served 65 days as a first sergeant, resolving more than 1,200 equipment and personnel issues, ensuring his team of 45 Airmen was prepared to support combat operations throughout Afghanistan.

“An award on such a high level crates a door for my family to see me in a different light,” said Sergeant Hudson, a father of three whose wife is also in the Air Force. “and it motivates my kids to do bigger and better things.” Hudson also credits the Air Force for giving him opportunities to improve himself. “I had opportunities to lead, he added. “Whenever you’ve given the opportunity, and take advantage of that opportunity.”

Airman Cherry also credits Air Force training for helping him earn his award. “It starts off with Basic Training, where I understood how to get discipline and order right,” he explained. It continued to his training as a public health technician. “They taught us what our jobs were going to be, and I put what I learned from Tech School into action.”

For Staff Sergeant Fuentes, Air Force leadership helped her become an outstanding Airman. “The mentorship I’ve had along the way has been tremendous,” she said, “and their help and belief in me has been fantastic.”

The Outstanding Airmen of the Year award recognizes twelve enlisted members for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievement. Recipients are awarded the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon and Bronze service star device. They are entitled to wear the Outstanding Airmen of the Year badge for a year.

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)