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Air Force Announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2022

14 July 2022, 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 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, operations superintendent, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Tech. Sgt. Brianne E. Kelleher, Air Force Reserve Command

Tech. Sgt. Alexander W. Messinger,  Air Education and Training Command, standardization evaluation noncommissioned officer in charge, 802nd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. 

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 Outstanding Airmen of the Year program debuted at AFA’s 10th annual National Convention in 1956, and the association has continued to shine a spotlight on the outstanding Airmen from each major command every year since.