USAFE-AFAFRICA commander STEP promotes 351st ARS Airman

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
  • USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, rewarded four Airmen with on-the-spot promotions to the rank of technical sergeant, effective Dec. 17, through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program.

Tech. Sgt. Eric Sonnenberg, Tech. Sgt. Adam Culver, Tech. Sgt. Mauhamed Gadiaga and Tech. Sgt. Jessica Johnson were recognized as outstanding performers among their peers and meeting all eligibility criteria for the program.

Sonnenberg, a 351st Air Refueling Squadron instructor boom operator, directed a new boom operator simulation requirement, securing 700 training events for 37 Airmen; led a 10-member team during a South Dakota flood, saving 61 homes; and validated an operational plan delivering eight F-15s to an Operation Altantic Resolve deployment in 18 hours. He has also been recognized with numerous squadron-level awards and was an integral team leader to receiving the Evans Award and Spaatz Trophy.

Culver, a 65th Civil Engineer Squadron heating and ventilation technician, filled a critical master sergeant billet in his unit; managed a $2.2 million budget for the operations flight; and led the air conditioning upgrade for an F-15 flight simulator, cooling $4 million of command and control assets.  He was also a key player in earning the Chief of Staff team Excellence Award in 2011 and was a distinguished graduate in several professional military education courses.

Gadiaga, a USAFE-AFAFRICA Surgeon General's Office international health NCO, has served as a translator for command engagements in Europe and Africa; served as the liaison for the Center for Disease Control and U.S. Agency for International Development during Kenya's Polio outbreak; and developed a five-year strategy for military medicine, strengthening the military defense of nine African partner nations. He has also been recognized as the USAFE-AFAFRICA/SG NCO of the year, USAFE Outstanding Bioenvironmental Engineer NCO of the Year and several group- and squadron-level awards.

Johnson, a 422nd Medical Squadron aerospace medical technician, was the sole medic for 20 outside-the-wire missions during her deployment; orchestrated 300 distinguished visitor events, earning Air Mobility Command's George Washington protocol of Excellence Award; and organized joint military ball for 600 guests. Additionally, she has nearly completed her master's degree in healthcare administration, and has won several squadron-level awards.

USAFE-AFAFRICA received eight stripes to award Airmen through the STEP program. Wings which had more than 575 eligible Airmen were given one stripe each to award through their own process and included: 31st Fight Wing, 48th Fighter Wing, 52nd Fighter Wing and 86th Airlift Wing. The remaining eligible Airmen in the command competed for the remaining four stripes and the recipients were determined by the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander.