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. Porscha Simpson
UNIT: 59th Radiology Squadron
DUTY TITLE: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Course Instructor
TIME IN SERVICE: 13 years, 10 months
HOMETOWN: Columbus, Georgia
Tech. Sgt. Porscha Simpson directed the Department of Defense’s sole joint-service magnetic resonance imaging course, graduating two students, with one garnering their national certification upon graduation, a feat accomplished by less than 50% of technologists. Additionally, she identified and corrected 14 curriculum content errors, modernizing lesson plans for future students. As the Air Force MRI functional, she collaborated with AFPC to obtain 10 FY23 retraining quotas, increasing class seats by 70% from the previous year and leveling manning above 80% for the first time in three years. She conquered all this while developing a unit fitness plan with a physical training leader, supporting healthy habits in 2023.
RANK/NAME: Tech. Sgt. Joel Timmons
UNIT: 390th Cyberspace Operations Squadron
DUTY TITLE: NCOIC, Network
TIME IN SERVICE: 9 years, 6 months
HOMETOWN: Newell, West Virginia
Tech. Sgt. Joel Timmons operated as his team's sole Career Field Educational Training Program trainer and readied four Airmen, 50% of the analyst core, for their 5-skill level upgrade by evaluating them on 440 line items. His incredible efforts enabled training completion within three months' time. Additionally, he ensured proper documentation was submitted to secure $13,500 annual Special Duty Pay for eligible members. Finally, as the newest member of his team, he has made significant progress towards his Core Exploitation Analyst certification by completing 62% of his job qualification standards in three months, 20% faster than his peers.
RANK/NAME: Staff Sgt. Jessica Fanty
UNIT: 802nd Force Support Squadron
DUTY TITLE: PME Instructor
TIME IN SERVICE: 7 years, 1 month
HOMETOWN: Washington Township, New Jersey
Staff Sgt. Jessica Fanty partnered with the 59th Diagnostic Therapeutic Squadron and the “Salute to Life” Marrow Donor Program. She directed 108 joint-service personnel, which resulted in 15 new bone marrow candidates intended for 500 DOD-affiliated members and the collection of 60 units of blood delivered to 10-plus medical facilities nationwide and deployed locations. Additionally, she crushed a mental health assessment course for her master’s degree in social work which led to a timely response to a crisis situation for a wingman and certifications of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training for ALS cadre.
RANK/NAME: Senior Airman Joshua Garcia
UNIT: 531st Intelligence Squadron
DUTY TITLE: Capabilities Manager
TIME IN SERVICE: 4 years
HOMETOWN: San Antonio, Texas
Senior Airman Joshua Garcia distinguished himself by raising $1,200, which fueled the fabrication of 50 winter survival packages bolstering a 640-acre area of downtown San Antonio, Texas. Garcia led two NCOs and three junior enlisted personnel throughout this humanitarian project, directly impacting 75 impoverished residents right before a record-setting winter snap. Additionally, he coordinated an enterprise stand-down during which he reviewed 613 outage requests that directly contributed to the elimination of a NATO high-value target. Garcia is a perfect example of a Wingman, fostering a better community while leading his colleagues to success on and off duty.
RANK/NAME: Senior Airman Christopher Mendoza
UNIT: 959th Surgical Care Squadron
DUTY TITLE: Surgical Technologist
TIME IN SERVICE: 6 years
HOMETOWN: Miami, Florida
Senior Airman Christopher Mendoza serves as night shift floor sergeant for the Sterile Processing Department, leading nine members and managing $11 million in equipment, which enabled 916 surgical cases. He manages the night shift crash cart program for the largest military trauma facility, securing immediate access to care for emergencies. As a squadron physical training leader, he devised a workout plan for three members, securing their 100% pass rate and elevating their knowledge to pursue and influence a positive lifestyle. Recently, he attended an NCOIC professional development expanding his leadership knowledge inspiring him to mentor three of his peers to take the reins as shift leads.
RANK/NAME: Airman 1st Class Talyn Scott
UNIT: 959th Inpatient Squadron
DUTY TITLE: Aerospace Medical Services Technician, Bone Marrow Transplant
TIME IN SERVICE: 1 year, 4 months
HOMETOWN: Elmo, Utah
Airman 1st Class Talyn Scott is the subject matter expert on stem cell infusion and bone marrow transplant. She oversaw three transplants as the primary technician and shift leader and was instrumental in providing lifesaving cancer treatments. Additionally, she volunteered to work extra shifts during staffing shortages. As an instructor, Scott trained 193 personnel in the prevention and management of disruptive behavior and facilitated the hospital’s skills fair, organizing nine training sessions for six advanced nursing skills. She is also a mock code blue coordinator. Scott also volunteers at a local shelter and has delivered more than 525 warm meals to community members in need.