Travis Airman named one of AMC’s top 12

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A Travis first sergeant was selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year for Air Mobility Command. 

Master Sgt. Maria Kraft, first sergeant of the 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was one of three first sergeants selected for the first sergeant category. The other finalists fell under the Airman, NCO and Senior NCO categories. 

Sergeant Kraft said she is impressed by the treatment she and her husband, Master Sgt. John Kraft, have received since arriving at AMC headquarters, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 

“From the moment we walked into Scott AFB, my husband and I were treated like royalty,” she said. 

All the finalists received welcome baskets with their itineraries, t-shirts, posters of the nominees, and personalized coffee mugs and place mats. 

“It was like Christmas,” added Sergeant Kraft. 

Right now she and the 11 other finalists are just trying to get through a very busy week.
“The schedule is very hectic,” said Sergeant Kraft. “There’s very little downtime. The days are filled with briefings, tours and team building events.” 

“I just wanted to thank AMC for hosting an extraordinary week of events,” she added.
Sergeant Kraft was selected as the 60th Air Mobility Wing First Sergeant of the Year for 2005. She was then selected from first sergeants among 11 other AMC wings as well as two numbered Air Force wings. 

Some of Sergeant Kraft’s accomplishments include being involved with the creation of the Hurricane Katrina House in which 48 families were transferred to Travis from Keesler AFB, Miss., following the hurricane. She orchestrated a collection point for donated household goods for the victims. 

She is also the president of the largest first sergeant council in AMC. The Travis First Sergeant Council has 38 first sergeants and additional-duty first sergeants. 

Sergeant Kraft served as the Asian Pacific Heritage Committee Chairman for the 60th AMW in 2005 as well. 

Sergeant Kraft said mentorship has really helped with her success. 

“Everyone needs a mentor,” she said. “I encourage everyone to find one and sit down with them and let them show you the direction you need to take your career.” 

“Chief Master Sgt. David Groff from the 60th Communications Squadron and Chief Master Sgt. Craig Wills from the 60th LRS took their time to show me the way,” she added. 

Up next for Sergeant Kraft is the announcement of the four individuals who will go up to compete at the Air Force level.