JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
The Diamond Sharp Award is sponsored by the Joint Base San Antonio First Sergeants Council and recognizes outstanding Airmen who continually exceed the standard to meet the Air Force mission.
Rank/Name: Tech. Sgt. Michael Mitchell
Unit: Headquarters, Air Force Services Center
Duty Title: Program Manager, Air Force Readiness & Plans
Tech. Sgt. Michael Mitchell demonstrated the utmost professionalism in assuming the role of project manager for the Air Force’s Contingency Quarters Management Accountability Platform, a program that is set to solve a 20-year mission gap of standardizing contingency quarter’s accountability across the Air Force. This responsibility usually falls on senior civilian/military leaders and Mitchell attacked this initiative head-on, partnering with AFWERX and commercial contractors, culminating in this project being awarded $1.1 million towards maintenance and completion. Mitchell also completed two college courses towards his bachelor’s degree and used those skills to improve the efficiency of four Air Force Readiness programs.
Rank/Name: Staff Sgt. Patrick Pinto
Unit: 93rd Intelligence Squadron
Duty Title: Cryptologic Language Analyst
Staff Sgt. Patrick Pinto is a top-notch language analyst, leader and wingman. He led an eight-member team that analyzed thousands of intelligence files and managed the data collection processes for 480 personnel covering 1,000 targets. In addition, he took point on tracking records, training and logistics for a stressful unit manpower switch ensuring smooth and clear transition for nine Airmen. Pinto also assisted the first sergeant by facilitating two Airman Leadership School mentoring sessions for five airmen who were slated to attend the course virtually and became their mentor for the duration of the course.
Rank/Name: Staff Sgt. Tariq D. Russell
Unit: 802nd Security Forces Squadron
Duty Title: Emergency Communication Center Controller
Staff Sgt. Tariq D. Russell is a highly motivated leader who always strives to inspire the full potential of his 58 flight members. Russell puts in the time to groom his Airmen to grow professionally as they progress through the enlisted ranks. As vice president of the Defender’s Association, despite being limited to COVID-19 restrictions, Russell partnered with the Unite Program to raise camaraderie and morale throughout the unit. Russell acquired $5,757 for the 500-plus-member squadron, enabling each section to host the socially distanced event of their choice for the holiday season. As a violence prevention and resiliency trainer, Russell was instrumental in the success of the Department of Defense Suicide Awareness and Sexual Assault Prevention training.
Rank/Name: Senior Airman Alec Worden
Unit: 35th Intelligence Squadron
Duty Title: Malware Team Lead
Senior Airman Alec Worden has gone above and beyond the call to showcase his talents as a leader and has constantly been involved and engaged with one of the newest members of the squadron. He has consistently strived to do what he can to better provide for this new Airman and set their family up for success upon arrival on station. Worden has embodied what it means to be a Wingman by stepping in, not only using his words to support his fellow Airman but by his actions following suit. Being a great Wingman is something we all strive for and this member has hit the pinnacle by taking care of his fellow Airmen in a time when they needed him most.
Rank/Name: Senior Airman Cameryn Berti
Unit: 502nd Security Forces Squadron
Duty Title: Patrolman
Senior Airman Cameryn Berti displays impeccable leadership, integrity and loyalty. She achieved a 100 percent grade on her installation patrolman duty position evaluation. She then shared her knowledge with three Airmen and helped with their upgrade and on-the-job training, inspiring them to achieve an average score of 98 percent on their evaluations. Berti recently completed three college classes towards her associate’s degree, achieved a 4.0-grade point average and sparked others to enroll. She clearly embodies what it means to be “Diamond Sharp.”
Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Eric Grays
Unit: 802nd Force Support Squadron
Duty Title: Customer Support Technician
Airman 1st Class Eric Grays is one of the top site security managers for the second-largest Force Support Squadron Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System site. Due to COVID restrictions, he has been instrumental in the online ID card process for dependents and retirees, processing more than 160 online ID card renewals and reducing the customer wait time by 90 percent. Grays has completed 18 credit hours towards his bachelor’s of science degree in health administration, maintaining a 4.0-grade point average. He receives numerous positive Interactive Customer Evaluation comments and has been praised by senior leadership. Grays’ long-term goals include commissioning to become a personnel officer or pilot.
Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Juan Rojas
Unit: 454th Electronic Warfare Squadron
Duty Title: Electronic Warfare Signals Analysis
Airman 1st Class Juan Rojas has been at the top of his game, relentlessly supporting our booster club at fundraising events at a critical time during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has coordinated events in the local community which drove us to reach a $4,000 goal to fully fund the squadron’s holiday events. Rojas spends his free time with community service events, such as supporting the San Antonio Food Bank at a time when our community needs it the most. He has been a phenomenal leader in the office with his core duties and constantly elevates the competency levels of the Airman around him.
Rank/Name: Seaman Victoria Gerow
Unit: 59th Dental Training Squadron
Duty Title: Dental Technician
Seaman Victoria Gerow, a Navy hospital corpsman, is a dental assistant assigned to the Tri-Service Orthodontic Residency, which provides care to more than 10,000 tri-service members and beneficiaries. Her efforts resulted in graduating 11 dental officers in receiving their master’s degree in oral biology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Gerow also supported front desk operations in calling and confirming patients which reduced patient failures, as well as facilitating room inspections for 30 dental treatment rooms which achieved a 100 percent pass rate. Gerow coordinated a successful Thanksgiving event for 30 members and volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank, helping to construct 100 meal baskets to benefit local families.