JULY 15, 2022 – Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022.
An Air Force selection board at the Air Force’s Personnel Center considered 36 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 (alphabetically, by command of assignment when selected) are:
- Tech. Sgt. Brandon S. Blake, Air Force Special Operations Command
- Senior Airman Demarion N. Davis, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
- Senior Airman Monica A. Figueroa Santos, Air Force Global Strike Command
- Senior Master Sgt. Kade N. Forrester, Air Force District of Washington
- Senior Master Sgt. Megan A. Harper, Air Combat Command
- Tech. Sgt. Brianne E. Kelleher, Air Force Reserve Command
- Tech. Sgt. Alexander W. Messinger, Air Education and Training Command
- Senior Airman Steven C. Peters, Air Mobility Command
- Senior Airman Kristina L. Schneider, Air National Guard
- Airman 1st Class Caden A. Soper, Pacific Air Forces
- Senior Airman Christopher T. Thao, Air Force Materiel Command – Airman supporting Space Force
- Tech. Sgt. Jennifer G. Thomas, Air Force Materiel Command – Air Force
The 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 OAY 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.”
By Staff Sgt. Kiana Pearson
Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs