'Focus on the Force' honors Air Guard's outstanding Airmen

by Col. Nahaku A. McFadden
National Guard Bureau Public Affairs

8/19/2013 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- What do you get when you combine the Air National Guard's most Outstanding Airmen, the Enlisted Field Advisory Council, and a cadre of E-9s going through the Chief's Executive Course? ... some of this country's top enlisted minds tackling the challenges facing Guard-Airmen during the aptly named "Focus on the Force" week.

Seeking fresh perspectives from the unit's front line, the advisory council asked the Air Guard's six outstanding Airmen to provide feedback on the complex issues facing units in the states.

"The EFAC asked for a panel of Airmen and I couldn't think of any better than our Outstanding Airmen of the Year," said Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, Air National Guard Command Chief.

The Director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, also acknowledged the outstanding Airmen's accomplishments during his "All-Call" address.

"One of the things I challenged everyone with is to serve with distinction," Clarke said. "Here are some Airmen who fully capture that ideal and take it to heart."

While the week-long schedule featured open and frank discussions on how best to handle current and future Air Guard issues, one of the highlights of the week was the formal recognition of this year's Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen. They are:

• Outstanding Airman - Staff Sgt. Chadwick J. Boles, 125th Special Tactics Squadron, Ore.;
   
• Outstanding NCO - Tech. Sgt. Melissa A. Knight, 185th Refueling Wing, Iowa;
   
• Outstanding Senior NCO - Master Sgt. Andre S. Davis, 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, Va.;
   
• Outstanding Honor Guard member - Master Sgt. Olympia D. Williamson, 136th Airlift Wing, Texas 
   
• Outstanding Honor Guard Program Manager - Tech. Sgt. Jamie L. Jones, 108th Refueling Wing, N.J.; and 
   
• Outstanding First Sergeant - Senior Master Sgt. Mike A. Schmaling, 128th Refueling Wing, Wis.
   

Davis was also selected as one of the 12 Air Force Association's 2013 Outstanding Airmen. He will be honored at an annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition held in September in Washington, D.C.