U.S. Strategic Command Honors 2015 Annual Award Winners

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. - U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Patrick F. McMahon, USSTRATCOM senior enlisted leader, recognized the 2015 USSTRATCOM Annual Award winners for their outstanding support to the command""s global strategic missions during a banquet in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, May 13.

Military members and civilians representing USSTRATCOM""s headquarters directorates, functional components and task forces were on hand to witness the award presentations and celebrate the achievements of more than 100 nominees, who were honored at the combatant-command level after being selected as the premier performers within their respective categories and units.

During his keynote speech, Haney praised all of the nominees, as well as the leaders and mentors who guide them, for their contributions to maintaining a safe, secure, effective and ready strategic deterrence force.

“It is always great to recognize the fantastic work done by all of the men and women, uniformed and civilian, across the command,” said Haney. “2015 was an amazing year, full of success and accomplishment, and I couldn""t be more proud of each of you. The nominees showed exemplary performance and scope of responsibility. Their accomplishments contributed to the strategic vision of our nation and were instrumental in deterring our adversaries.”

The 2015 USSTRATCOM Annual Award winners are:

Elite Guardsman of the Year - Airman 1st Class Adrien-James Crete, HQ USSTRATCOM
Army NCO of the Year - Staff Sgt. Jorge Mendez, HQ USSTRATCOM
Soldier of the Year - Spc. Alexander Montgomery, USCYBERCOM
Marine of the Year - Sgt. Randy Moore, JFCC Space
Senior Sailor of the Year - YN1 Horatio Edwards, SJFHQ-E
Junior Sailor of the Year - IS2 Carla Painter, USCYBERCOM
Blue Jacket Sailor of the Year - IT3 Vinardian Junio, JFCC GS
12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (SNCO) - Master Sgt. Joshua Andrus, HQ USSTRATCOM
12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (NCO) - Tech. Sgt. Geraldine Harris, USCYBERCOM
12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (Airman) - Senior Airman Mariah Hinostroza, JFCC GS
Field Grade Officer of the Year - Maj. David Gohlich, HQ USSTRATCOM
Field Grade Officer of the Year (Reservist) - Maj. Shawn Pebly, JFCC GS
Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt. David Stringer, HQ USSTRATCOM
Company Grade Officer of the Year (Reservist) - Capt. Bradley Alvater, HQ USSTRATCOM
Senior-Tier Enlisted of the Year - Master Sgt. Brian Mitchell, USCYBERCOM
Senior-Tier Enlisted of the Year (Reservist) - Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Delaney, HQ USSTRATCOM
Task Force Senior-Tier Enlisted of the Year - Master Sgt. Robert Jordan, TF 214
Mid-Tier Enlisted of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Geraldine Harris, USCYBERCOM
Mid-Tier Enlisted of the Year (Reservist) - Staff Sgt. Deborah Vives, JFCC ISR
Task Force Mid-Tier Enlisted of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Kay May, TF 214
Junior-Tier Enlisted of the Year - Senior Airman Mariah Hinostroza, JFCC GS
Junior-Tier Enlisted of the Year (Reservist) - Senior Airman Christopher King, 610 CACS
Task Force Junior-Tier Enlisted of the Year - Senior Airman Matthew Newton, TF 214
Senior Civilian of the Year - Mr. Marcus Thies, HQ USSTRATCOM
Mid-Tier Civilian of the Year - Mr. Daniel Kochera, HQ USSTRATCOM
Junior Civilian of the Year - Ms. Marie Coney, JFCC Space
Team of the Year - ICBM Dynamic Targeting Team, JFCC GS