Social starts week celebrating outstanding Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. J.C. Woodring
  • Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFNS) --  The Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year attended a social here Sept. 11 to kick off a week of events planned to honor them.

Master Sgt. Stephen Hunter, 944th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, is the only reservist and is assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy and his wife, Paula, welcomed the Airmen and their guests to Airey House, their official residence named after the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Paul Airey.

"Each and every day our Airmen do amazing things for our Air Force, and these Airmen are a great representation of our Air Force," Chief Roy said. "They represent the total force - active, guard and Reserve - stationed around the world from many different specialties."

The Roys were joined for the event by other special guests including the Undersecretary of the Air Force, Erin Conaton, the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife, Suzie, former CMSAFs Eric Benken and Gerald Murray, and command chiefs from many of the major commands.

Reflecting on the significance of the day, ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Chief Roy said there was a lot of uncertainty throughout the world, but today we know that "because of Airmen like these, the future of our Air Force is bright."

Other events scheduled for the week include a wreath laying ceremony, VIP tours of Washington and the Pentagon, meetings with Congressional representatives and a formal dinner in their honor at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference Technology Exposition.