JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Rank/Name: Tech. Sgt. Jessica M. Velasquez
Unit: 802nd Force Support Squadron
Duty Title: Professional Military Education Instructor
Time in Service: 9 years
Hometown: Locust Grove, Georgia
Tech. Sgt. Jessica M. Velasquez collaborated with renowned motivational speakers Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor and retired 502nd ABW Command Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, aka “The Fired-Up Chief”, along with the Joint Base San Antonio Military & Family Readiness Center, delivering three PD sessions for 80 joint-service members. She was coined by Lewis for orchestrating a first-ever PD for ALS. With the highest degree of wingmanship, she mentored three Airmen through the mental health triage and Military OneSource process. Additionally, she trained additional RTAs for 13 JBSA units. Finally, Velasquez partnered with Edgewood Independent School District upgrading 18,000-plus square feet of interior walls, saving Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School more than $25,000 in labor costs.
Staff Sgt. Charles P.E. Kimble II
Unit: 59th Medical Logistics Readiness Squadron
Duty Title: NCOIC, Scheduled Services
Time in Service: 8 years
Hometown: North Las Vegas, Nevada
Staff Sgt. Charles P.E. Kimble II excelled in senior NCO billets at ACC and AETC maintenance shops, while directing support for 20,000 items worth $250 million, exceeding DHA’s completion standards by 38%. He directed 10 members in support of seven special operations teams and coordinated the storage, distribution and transportation of 1,900 blood shipments throughout Africa, which served nine patient evacuations and saved three lives. Kimble's rapid actions in performing CPR on a member in cardiac arrest and directing two bystanders to call emergency services ultimately saved her life. Additionally, Kimble supported and cared for a high-risk subordinate following their out-of-state arrest.
Senior Airman Pierre A. Castro 0005
Unit: 959th Surgical Operations Squadron
Duty Title: Surgical Technologist
Time in Service:4.6 years
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Senior Airman Pierre A. Castro is integral to running the largest surgery floor, leading an eight-man team, verifying that $44,000 in assets are utilized for 916 procedures monthly. As a key surgical technologist preceptor, he trained 19 tri-service personnel and improved proficiency across 12 medical treatment facilities. He also led a distinguished visitor immersion tour, showcasing unit capabilities and proposed future enhancements that initiated a career field functional review and was coined by the wing command chief. Castro is also a violence prevention instructor and has taught 58 members across various units the tools to heighten safety standards for everyone.
Senior Airman Noah J. Stewart 0006
Unit: 57th Intelligence Squadron
Duty Title: Client Systems Technician
Time in Service: 2 years
Hometown: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Senior Airman Noah J. Stewart maintained four mission-critical networks by completing 45 work orders, accounting for 75% of his flight’s production, enabling global combat identification for mission planners, and avoiding fratricide risk for 5,100 DOD aircraft. Additionally, he executed a plan that cut 96 hours from a quickly approaching deadline to update 105 workstations to the latest security standards, saving user access and protecting a crucial classified network. Finally, while Stewart assisted his flight chief after hours with a flat tire, he provided training and mentorship on auto repair and safety to his peers with the tools he had on hand.
Airman 1st Class Richard Sebald 0007
Unit: 390th Cyberspace Operations Squadron
Duty Title: All Source Analyst
Time in Service: 2 years, 8 months
Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Airman 1st Class Richard Sebald was instrumental in developing his team’s newest “Compete Now” target. He analyzed 249 reports to support initial target development and close intelligence gaps. His work led to reporting that was critical in the decision to accept the target and begin operations against his task force’s number two priority. Additionally, he found and fostered a relationship with an intelligence community partner who has a similar interest in the target. Finally, Sebald was a critical member of the Squadron booster club leading two fundraising efforts earning more than $4,000 to support morale events for nearly 200 unit members.
Airman 1st Class Savannah N. Whitmer 0008
Unit: 959th Inpatient Squadron
Duty Title: Mental Health Technician – Shift Leader
Time in Service: 1 year, 5 months
Hometown: Luray, Virginia
Airman 1st Class Savannah N. Whitmer was assigned shift lead, for a team of 12 for 22 shifts, filling a staffing gap, and reducing work call-ins. She trained 14 students on clinical rotations on Inpatient psych procedures as well as four new staff members, signing off on over 192 competency tasks. Whitmer de-escalated six patients across multiple crisis events, mitigating risks to staff and patients alike. She also led PT during her personal time, amassing 42 hours, improving an airman’s score by 15%, saving her career. Whitmer is currently working on her mental health services degree to further improve on her mental health skills.