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Bagram Airmen named top maintainers

  • Published
  • By Capt. Michael Meridith
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan --  Two Bagram Airmen were recently recognized as being among the best in their professions. 

Maj. Jennifer Hammerstedt, commander of the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron and Senior Master Sgt. Brian Gilbert, Assistant Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, were both recently named Ninth Air Force's nominees for Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Awards. 

The awards are considered by maintainers to be the most prestigious in the Air Force maintenance and munitions community and are based on job performance, efficiency and professional knowledge as well as contributions made to the Air Force as a whole. 

"I was surprised and humbled to be selected," said Major Hammerstedt, who was nominated for the Outstanding Aircraft Maintenance Person of the Year, Field Grade Manager Category. "Our job is challenging and busy, but I've always wanted to do something with impact. For me, it is rewarding because of the great people you get to work with."

"Leo Marquez nominees epitomize all we want our maintenance officers to be -
great leaders who work hard every day to improve combat capability in all areas within
the aircraft maintenance and munitions career field," added Col. Jon Sutterfield, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander. 

Sergeant Gilbert was likewise "humbled" by the announcement of his nomination for the Outstanding Aircraft Maintenance Person of the Year, Supervisor-Manager Category, and attributed his success to the motivation provided by his family. 

"Everything I do is for my children and grandchildren. I want them to be able to live with the same freedoms I've enjoyed," said Sergeant Gilbert, who like Major Hammerstedt, noted that the most rewarding part of his job was "the honor of working daily with a great, diverse group of professionals." 

Sergeant Gilbert's supervisor, Capt. Rodney Stevens, added that Sergeant Gilbert was himself a model of professionalism. "He always goes above and beyond and takes the job the extra mile. He's been a great mentor, providing sound advice to me and all of the Airmen." 

As nominees at the numbered Air Force level, both Major Hammerstedt and Sergeant Gilbert will go on to compete at the Major Command - and possibly - Air Force level. Whatever the outcome, leaders here consider them to already be "winners." 

"They achieve stellar results with constrained resources on a routine basis. Being a numbered Air Force Leo Marquez nominee is like being named an All American in college football only better," said Colonel Sutterfield.