Airman of the Year

Staff Sgt. Raquel Caramanno, with the 412th Medical Group at Edwards Air Force Base, is congratulated by Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, and the 412th MDG team, during the announcement of her selection as one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2016. Pictured (from left) are 412th Medical Group Commander Col. Karen Dean-Cox; Schaefer; Caramanno; Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Soto, 412th MDG; Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons, 412th TW command chief; and Lt. Col. David Huinker, 412th Medical Support Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dawn Waldman)

Edwards Airman one of Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Published Aug. 1, 2016
By Kenji Thuloweit
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Raquel Caramanno was recently named one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2016. She is the noncommissioned officer in charge of Medical Readiness for the 412th Medical Group and is also responsible for the training of 17 medical contingency response teams and the accounting/budget of $1.1 million in War Reserve Materiel.

"Being selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year is an absolute honor and a humbling experience," Caramanno said. "It is an amazing feeling to be recognized for all of the hard work and commitment I've dedicated towards my career in support of the Air Force mission."

A selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center considered 36 nominees from around the entire Air Force. The board selected 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Caramanno is authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon with the bronze service star device on it. She is also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of the formal presentation this fall. Edwards AFB is Caramanno's first duty station.

In addition to Caramanno, the AFPC board selected the following 11 Airmen for this honor:

Tech. Sgt. Michael A. Asuncion, Jr., Air Force Space Command;
Tech. Sgt. Sharry L. Barnshaw, Air Mobility Command;
Tech. Sgt. Cassandra L. Cruz, Air Education and Training Command;
Senior Master Sgt. Mark E. Farmer, Air National Guard;
Senior Airman Jasmin N. Figueroa, Pacific Air Forces;
Senior Master Sgt. Jeremiah F. Grisham, Air Force District of Washington;
Master Sgt. Marcus A. Mader, Air Force Special Operations Command;
Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca F. McNelley, Air Force Global Strike Command;
Senior Airman Derek F. Miles, U.S. Air Forces in Europe;
Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Tobler, Air Force Reserve Command; and,
Staff Sgt. Jamie K. Zimmer, Air Combat Command.