AETC names top performers for 2016 Published March 28, 2017 By Mark Aaron Locken Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command senior leaders recently recognized nine Airmen as the command’s best for 2016. The awards distinguish AETC’s enlisted Airmen for their leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. "America's Air Force is an extraordinary blend of the finest our nation has to offer," Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, AETC commander, said. "What sets us apart and makes us the greatest Air Force on the planet is our Airmen – they are truly remarkable. These nine enlisted Airmen represent the best of the best in AETC. Each one plays a critical role in our mission to recruit,train and educate the world's finest Airmen."Chief Master Sgt. David Staton, AETC command chief, also praised the winners for their accomplishments."I am continually amazed that an Airman can do so much in a single year!" Staton said. "These nine Airmen are deserving of the honors bestowed upon them and much more."The 2016 AETC Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:AETC Airman CategorySenior Airman Nicole Moore is an aerospace medical service technician for the 59th Medical Operations Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Moore’s accomplishments include being a first responder on scene during a terror attack at Bagram Airfield who was directly credited with saving 12 people. Moore managed U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s largest transitional patient ward with 16 service members caring for 51 patients daily. She also augmented the air transport flight on two missions, contributing to that flight’s 98 percent battle injury survival rate. At JBSA-Lackland, Moore aided in provider clinic operations supporting 4,000 patients and 25, 000 appointments, accounting for about $2 million in medical services for military members and their families.AETC NCO CategoryStaff Sgt. Zachary Bartlett is a military training leader from the 334th Training Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Bartlett led 10 Airman leaders and 75 Airmen daily. He mentored more than 1,000 Airmen from eight Air Force specialties, who achieved a 96 percent pass rate in technical training. He also managed the charge of quarters program for two $38 million dormitories that house 1,600 Airmen. AETC SNCO CategorySenior Master Sgt. Jeremy Pickett is the base deputy fire chief at the 47th Civil Engineering Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. In his role as base deputy fire chief, Pickett directed 106 members at two fire stations. During the year, the team handled 350 emergencies and protected 216 aircraft flying 46,000 sorties. Pickett liaised with two local fire departments, the FBI and Val Verde Regional Medical Center as he provided incident command and control during a successful active shooter training exercise. He oversaw 215 fire prevention visits ensuring the safety of 5,100 members across the base. AETC First Sergeant CategorySenior Master Sgt. Aaron Drain is the first sergeant for the 364th Training Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Drain provided leadership to a squadron of four flights and 175 joint service members. Drain mentored 25 senior NCOs and four officers. He also taught seven Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Courses, training 200 Airmen. AETC Military Training Instructor CategoryMaster Sgt. Babatunji Akande is a military training instructor for the 324th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Akande’s accomplishments include serving as an acting first sergeant and providing guidance for 1,000 Airmen and 60 military training instructors during the 2016 surge to train 5,000 more Airman. He is a DOD-certified Sexual Assault Prevention and Response volunteer victim advocate and used his training to partner with 21 military psychologists to establish a year-round schedule of visits for basic trainees. AETC Military Training Leader CategoryStaff Sgt. Robinson Divert is a military training leader for the 334th Training Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Divert is responsible for 85 Airmen and a 97 percent technical training graduation rate for the Airmen under his care. Divert’s dormitory charge of quarters program, including a five-page checklist he developed, was instrumental in the proactive protection of two $38 million dorms and 1,600 Airmen. He is also responsible for the squadron drill and ceremony program and prepared 800 Airmen and nine MTLs for the 2nd Air Force change of command ceremony and six wing retreat ceremonies.AETC Recruiter CategoryMaster Sgt. Thomas Kazmierski is an enlisted accessions recruiter for the 369th Recruiting Squadron, in Aiea, Hawaii. He is the Air Force Recruiting Service’s “Top Enlisted Accessions Recruiter” for 2016. Kazmierski produced 175 percent of his assigned recruiting goal for enlistees and 200 percent of his goal for officers-select during the past year. He also was responsible for 60 percent of the squadron’s prior-service enlistments. Kazmierski managed the flight’s physical fitness program and led the flight to a 100 percent pass rate. AETC Honor Guard Member CategoryAirman 1st Class Michael Paiz is assigned to the 57th Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and serves as a member of the 502nd Air Base Wing Honor Guard for Joint Base San Antonio. As a member of AETC’s honor guard with the busiest area of responsibility, Paiz was part 112 funeral ceremonies Paiz led 12 POW/MIA table ceremonies for 12 separate formal events. He also volunteered 400 hours instructing 67 new Honor Guard Airmen on 25 different tasks. Paiz also personally recruited 12 new honor guard members. AETC Honor Guard Program Manager CategoryMaster Sgt. Donald Reynolds is the honor guard program manager for the 502nd Air Base Wing at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Reynolds provided oversight for the busiest honor guard in AETC, managing 145 Airmen who conducted 1,745 funerals across five geographically separated locations. Reynolds led seven active-duty funerals and six dignified arrivals. Reynolds authored the 502 ABW Honor Guard training and ammunition standard operating procedures, which were rated “excellent” during a unit effectiveness inspection. He also authored the Honor Guard 101 Course which includes 18 lessons. The course was identified as an Air Force “best practice.”These top nine enlisted Airmen were recognized for their awards this month. Moore, Bartlett, Pickett and Drain advance to 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Competition.