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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      DAF announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2021Published July 12, 2021
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Kiana Pearson
                    
                    
                    Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs
            **JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --**Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021.
An Air Force selection board at the**Air Force’s Personnel Center** considered 35 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are (alphabetically, by command of assignment when selected):

Senior Master Sgt. Marcus D. Banks, Pacific Air Forces
 Tech. Sgt. Christopher M. Bennett, Air Education and Training Command
 Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Bennett, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa
 Tech. Sgt. Kelli A. Floyd, Air Combat Command
 Staff Sgt. Valerie M. Graw, Air Force Materiel Command
 Staff Sgt. Colleen F. Mitchell, Air Force District of Washington
 Senior Airman Giovanni Pacheco, Airman Support U.S. Space Force
 Staff Sgt. Kristy L. Riley, Air Force Reserve Command
 Staff Sgt. Alex M. Sandmann, Air Force Global Strike Command
 Senior Master Sgt. Mark R. Schneider II, Air National Guard
 Senior Airman Jamonica M. Smith, Air Mobility Command
 Master Sgt. Hannah E. Walters, Air Force Special Operations CommandThe winners are authorized to wear the**Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon** with the bronze service star device on the ribbon. They are also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.The MAJCOM nominee list is available on**myPers** > Recognition >Special Trophies and Awards or select the active-duty enlisted category from the dropdown menu and search “12 OAY.”AFWN 



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