News

Robins first sergeant earns AFMC honor

  • Published
  • By Michelle Eviston
  • AFMC Public Affairs
HQ AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND --  A thunderous applause shattered the typically reverent silence at the National Museum of the United States Air Force April 9, as Air Force Materiel Command officials announced their top enlisted Airmen of 2008.

Among the winners was Master Sgt. Christina Kibler of the 78th Force Support Squadron, who won for the category of first sergeant. She said winning the award reflects a team accomplishment more than an individual award.

"This is a team effort," she said. "Our Robins Shirt Council is phenomenal and I live that every day."

More than 300 family members, friends, and wingmen gathered to show their support at the awards banquet, held in honor of the command's 44 nominees.

Sergeant Kibler was joined by three other winners, Staff Sgt. Jason Forcey, Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Horton and Master Sgt. Caroline Schmitzer, who won for the categories of outstanding airman, noncommissioned officer and senior NCO, respectively.

Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander, presided over the ceremony. After congratulating all the nominees on a job well done, he asked them to continue putting their expertise to good use.

"The Air Force is in good hands," the general said. "Now, take your talents and skills back to your workplace and mentor next year's winners to follow your stead."

Orchestrating the evening's events was Chief Master Sgt. William Gurney, the command chief master sergeant. Chief Gurney said honoring the top enlisted Airmen in the command is important because they are the future of the Air Force.

"We can go to sleep at night knowing we left the Air Force a little better than it was before," Chief Gurney said.

The theme of this year's banquet was "Joint Warfighting Airmen; Ready, Willing and Able." The focus on joint warfighting echoes Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz's message that the Air Force is "all-in", referring to its commitment and joint involvement in overseas operations.

The four winners will now represent AFMC in the Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year and First Sergeant of the Year competitions later this year.