Duke Field awards year's top performers Published Feb. 3, 2009 By Dan Neely 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- The 919th Special Operations Wing has honored its five outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2008. Col. Steve Chapman, 919th SOW commander, presented annual awards to: Capt. Brian Brooks, Company Grade Officer of the Year; Master Sgt. Ronald McCulley, Senior NCO of the Year; Staff Sgt. Jennifer Alexander, NCO of the Year; Senior Airman Randi Ferebee, Airman of the Year; and Master Sgt. Michael Morgan, First Sergeant of the Year. Company Grade Officer of the Year Captain Brooks, a 919th Operations Support Squadron intelligence officer, demonstrated "superb leadership and flawlessly led and directed all intelligence operations and training at the 919th SOW," his nominators wrote. He developed an innovative intelligence training program with 27 courses covering basic and advance topics while increasing productivity. The captain deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism, serving as Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component intelligence director, J-2 (Plans). He directly impacted execution of more than 1,700 combat sorties, all incident free. Recognized as a multi-tasker, he orchestrated preparation of 10 airfield surveys in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Djibouti. Additionally, the wing commander selected him as a representative for the Reserve Components Joint Officer Development Course. Senior NCO of the Year Sergeant McCulley, 919th Security Forces Squadron training NCO in charge, "led the unit to "unsurpassed excellence, driving up 5-level end-of-course pass rates to an amazing 100 percent rate for fiscal year 2007," his nominators wrote. The senior NCO addressed more than 1,000 people during the year, addressing attendees of annual conferences and seminars. He was nominated to testify before the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves on his first-hand experiences on mobilization and demobilization, compensation and benefits, and employer support during presidential activations. The senior NCO was praised as a lifesaver for his actions in a medical emergency and was his squadron commander's top selection to represent the unit during the wing's recent "Family Day" appreciation event. NCO of the Year Sergeant Alexander, a 919th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental controls journeyman, was "passionately dedicated to her job," and "sought every opportunity to educate others," his nominators wrote. No stranger to the winners' circle, she took home previous wing honors in annual and quarterly performance competitions. She volunteered weekends to follow up on work orders and care for animals while managing all team labor time sheets. She was lauded for spearheading training on Integrated Pest Management Information System usage, assuring 100 percent proficiency for 29 users. Her nominators praised her as an "outstanding environmental steward to the community" for assisting scientists in evaluating endangered beach mouse recovery efforts and testing of invasive weed damage management techniques. Airman of the Year Senior Airman Ferebee, a 919th Mission Support Flight personnel journeyman, was honored for her multiple wartime roles supporting a deployment to Southwest Asia. There she handled 95 percent of all mail for the military in and out of Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. "She maintained outstanding support for over 150,000 warfighters located at over 15 bases," her nominators wrote. She tracked more than 130 flight landings and departures, verifying nine million pounds of mail were accounted for and moved without delay. She was an active volunteer for Airmen Against Drunk Driving, providing safe 24-hour transportation options for her fellow Airmen. First Sergeant of the Year Sergeant Morgan, 919th MSF first sergeant, was hailed by his nominators as "an extraordinary leader and dynamic facilitator." He was selected to stand up and formalize the wing's Individualized Newcomer Treatment and Orientation program, better known as INTRO, and dramatically re-tooled the Wing Family Care Program, honing key processes and ensuring top-notch accountability. His nominators further lauded his "bold leadership techniques displayed when handing a range of issues for 105 reservists in his flight, group and wing staff." Sergeant Morgan was selected to run the wing's "Family Day" event aimed at showing appreciation for a turnout of more than 1,500 Duke Field family members.