Team Mildenhall First Sergeant Council named USAFE-AFAFRICA Council of the Year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brandon Esau
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

The RAF Mildenhall First Sergeant Council was recognized as the First Sergeant Council of the Year at the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Annual Award Banquet at Ramstein Air Base, Germany May 9, 2019.

The award recognized the accomplishments of the council which distinguished them from their peers at this year’s event.

“Our team was able to present a robust amount of achievements which allowed for us to compete at a very high level and be recognized by our peers from across the USAFE-AFAFRICA major command,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jewell Hicks, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and Team Mildenhall First Sergeant Council president.

“Our council is unique because we have first sergeants from across different mission sets, whether it’s air refueling, special operations, intelligence or reconnaissance,” Hicks said. “This allows for us to have members who’ve been able to serve Airmen both at home and down range, which builds a stronger sense of community.”

The first sergeants council is comprised of every Team Mildenhall first sergeant and additional duty first sergeants. They are known to be expeditionary leaders who work diligently for and serve as the commander’s critical link within a unit for all matters concerning enlisted members.

 “We’re not the biggest council in this theatre by any stretch of the imagination,” Hicks explained. “But the fact that we had as many phenomenal first sergeants and additional ‘shirts’ contributing at a consistently high level all year warms my heart.”

The initiatives the council under took include launching the “CONNECT” program to promote activities on base, motivating 169 members to earn educational degrees and helping to revitalize the 5/6 council which focuses on networking and leadership to build future leaders for tomorrow.

The council also took a more active role in strengthening the communities’ awareness on mental health, helping shift the culture of organizations by hosting a “Leading Millennials” professional development course, putting on holiday fundraising events and most recently hosting an additional duty first sergeant symposium.

Hicks believes first sergeants here are able to provide such great care to Airmen because of the family atmosphere they’ve built amongst each other.

“Across the Air Force we have remarkable first sergeants and councils, but I’ve never been a part of a council who genuinely would give the shirt off their back to their fellow Airmen,” Hicks said. “This is a brotherhood and sisterhood which puts taking care of our Airmen at the forefront each day.”

Chief Master Sgt. Kristina Rogers, 100th Air Refueling Wing command chief, agrees.

“Our first sergeants are the best in the business and the epitome of what it means to be ‘Diamond Sharp’,” Rogers said. “They truly care about our Airmen and are constantly looking for ways to serve, improve quality of life and enhance our mission effectiveness. They absolutely earned this recognition and we’re so proud of them!”