JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The Rising Six Council hosted a non-commissioned officer induction ceremony for the new NCOs of the 433rd Airlift Wing and 960th Cyberspace Wing on Oct. 5 at the Pfingston Reception Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
NCO Act of Heroism and Air Force Cross recipient, Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr., Air Education and Training Command chief enlisted manager, gave the NCO charge on the 15-year anniversary of receiving this award. The NCO charge outlines the responsibilities and expectations for all Air Force NCOs.
Gutierrez received the Air Force Cross in 2009, as a combat controller, when he was a staff sergeant participating in a high-risk nighttime raid aimed at capturing a top Taliban leader in Herat province, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was struck by a bullet and was in critical condition but refused medical evacuation to continue his role, ultimately saving his teammates and defeating the enemy. He is one of four living and serving recipients of the Air Force Cross.
“Ultimately, nothing could be done without the work of my teammates,” Gutierrez said. “When I received this award 15 years ago, it was never about me. It was about everybody else and what we did as a team.”
The oath of induction was lead by Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan J. Birk, 433rd AW command chief. Inductees then received their certificates of induction. This certificate symbolizes their progression through the NCO ranks.
Chief Master Sgt. Christopher M. Howard, 960th CW command chief, was the guest speaker for this event and spoke on the importance and capability of the NCO core.
“You are the connective tissue that ties every mission, every Airman, and every strategic objective together,” Howard said. “You are the leaders who understand the mission at the operational level while executing it at the tactical level.”
During closing remarks, Col. Douglas C. Jeffrey IV, 433rd AW commander, thanked everyone in attendance and closed with a story about the impact NCOs have in completing the mission.
Congratulations to the following NCOs inducted:
Staff Sgt. Ada Amaya, 433rd Airlift Wing Judge Advocate
Staff Sgt. Joseph Andrade, 433rd Maintenance Group
Staff Sgt. Beatriz Bocanegra, 26th Aerial Port Squadron
Staff Sgt. Jonathan Calvillo, 433rd Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Ingrid Chalkan, 433rd Logistics Readiness Squadron
Staff Sgt. Isaiah Chirip, 433rd Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Nicole Garcia, 433rd Maintenance Group
Staff Sgt. Ali Gundogdu, 68th Airlift Squadron
Staff Sgt. Ethan Krempin, 68th Airlift Squadron
Staff Sgt. Byron Morgan, 74th Aerial Port Squadron
Staff Sgt. Aissa Quintana, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron
Staff Sgt. Vanessa Cunanan, 426th Cyberspace Operations Squadron
Deployed Inductees:
Staff Sgt. Nicole Green, 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron
Staff Sgt. Abimbola Alagbado, 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron
Staff Sgt. Krishauna Laborte, 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron