Excellent AFMC airmen from GC

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- The Air Force Materiel Command honored in top airmen for 2018 at its annual Excellence Awards banquet here on March 6. Nominees in nine separate categories - airman, non-commissioned officer, senior NCO, first sergeant, company grade officer, field grade officer, civilian category I, civilian category II, and civilian category III competed from throughout AFMC's headquarters, centers, and wings. Among the category winners from Gulf Coast (GC) commands are: * Non-Commissioned Officer Category – Tech. Sgt. Alexander J. Rodriguez of the Air Force Test Center at Eglin AFB, Fla. Rodriguez supervised a mobile training team, certifying 24 rescue techs and saving $180,000 dollars in travel costs. As the instructor for a piloted training program, Rodriguez instructed 29 sessions and boosted the quarterly completion rate from 87 to 98 percent. He also orchestrated a local community outreach day, while graduating from the Naval War College’s NCO course. * First Sergeant Category – Senior Master Sgt. Zachary C. Pate of the Air Force Test Center at Eglin. As First Sergeant, Pate supported 397 members, while overseeing the health and readiness of the largest squadron in the wing. His team upheld the AF’s largest fighter test fleet at 98 percent availability. He oversaw the bed down and welfare of 222 members contributing to a 99 percent effectiveness rate during exercise North Lightening, the squadron’s largest deployment. * Civilian Category II – Marshall G. Dutton of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Dutton distinguished himself as AF EOI Modernization Program Manager where he managed a $300M five-year budget program supporting 225 robots and cutting repair time from months to days. Dutton was also the linchpin for an historic $10M five-year Explosive Ordinance Division 10-bomb suit contract providing critical life-safety gear to the war-fighter. Winners in the four enlisted categories will represent AFMC in the U.S. Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year and First Sergeant of the Year competitions to be held later this year. (Source: Air Force Materiel Command 03/08/19)