AFRC names 349th AMW member as Outstanding Airman of the Year

  • Published
  • By Patti Schwab-Holloway
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Force Reserve Command named a combat arms instructor from the 349th Security Forces Squadron as the Outstanding Airman of the Year during the command’s annual banquet April 20 at the Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. 

Senior Airman Eric Pena was submitted for consideration at the command level after being named Outstanding Airman of the Year in 4th Air Force, headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. 

Airman Pena was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is 28 years old. After graduating from high school, he knew he wanted a career in law enforcement after working undercover in Loss Prevention for a major retail store. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in June 2002 and began pursuing his dream. 

“Being named one of the Air Force Reserve Command’s Outstanding Airmen is such an honor,” Airmen Pena said. “I am grateful to all of the folks in the 349th who worked so hard to submit me for such recognition.” 

Airmen Pena recently returned from a volunteer six-month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was part of the Multi-National Detainee Operations Team. During his deployment, Airmen Pena served as a turret gunner on convoy movements within greater Baghdad. Airmen Pena’s professionalism was recognized as outstanding. When he was detailed to the Central Criminal Court of Iraq U.S. Embassy, he proved himself an exceptional Airman and was lauded for duty performance “Above and Beyond” by his supervisors at the embassy. 

Airmen Pena’s performance during such dangerous and demanding missions was only one of the factors in why he was submitted for consideration as Outstanding Airman of the Year. 

Airmen Pena is an active member of the United Pentecostal Church in Modesto, Calif., for more than 11 years. He used his experience with the church to enhanced unit morale while in Iraq by conducting weekly Bible study for the Chaplain’s office for military members. He also volunteered his off-duty hours to deliver food and clothing to needy Iraqi families. 

“In receiving this recognition, I hope to assist the Air Force Reserve in recruiting and retention efforts,” Airmen Pena said. “I want to be able to reach out in the community and share with everyone what a great experience being part of the Air Force family has been for me.” 

Airmen Pena will now go on to compete for the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. 

The Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year award is jointly sponsored by the Air Force and the Air Force Association and is tentatively scheduled to be announced in September. Those who win the honor of being one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen is awarded the Outstanding Airman ribbon. They are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman badge for one year and may also have the opportunity to serve on the Air Force Enlisted Council.