Photo By Dan DiPietro | Capt. Philip E. Francis poses for a photo at the Vermont Air National Guard in So....... read more read more
Subscribe
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - Capt. Philip E. Francis, Senior Master Sgt. James A. Noble, Tech. Sgt. Richard E. Schneider, and Airman 1st Class Christopher T. Riani were all selected as VTANG's Airmen of the Year.
Capt. Philip E. Francis
"I'm so proud to be part of such a professional organization who's people take so much pride in how they perform, not only at their current task but future tasks, constantly anticipating what lies beyond the horizon. That's what being a Green Mountain Boy means to me. Put the Vermonters ahead."
One of two pilots within the Air National Guard to be chosen to attend the United States Air Force Weapons School, Capt. Philip E. Francis with the 134th Fighter Squadron, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, is also the Company Grade Officer Instructor Pilot. He is the resident expert for two highly advanced aircraft improvements; the center display unit and the Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting System.
Outside of his official duties he volunteers and has taught more than 50 science students at Stowe Junior High School and also conducts tours for Starbase students.
Senior Master Sgt. James A. Noble
"I am honored to be a Green Mountain Boy, privileged to be a senior enlisted leader, and humbled to be selected as the Senior NonCommissioned Officer of the Year."
Senior Master Sgt. James A. Noble, a specialist element supervisor in the 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, routinely directs flight line activities for aircraft inventory worth more than $400 million. He's also recognized as a subject matter expert within the avionics community and frequently consulted by the National Guard Bureau, Lockheed-Martin, and the Air National Guard Avionics Advisory Council.
Working with engineers to manufacture a pitot static grommet, he helped create the best Block 30 F-16 mission-capable rate in the Air National Guard. This last year he is credited with bringing the VTANG reputation to our sister service when he attended the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. He's a dedicated member of the Wing's Honor Guard, a life member of both the Enlisted Association of the National Guard and the American Legion, and regularly opens his home to inner city youth as part of the Fresh Air Fund.
Tech. Sgt. Richard E. Schneider
"This has been an amazing honor; I never expected this in a million years."
Working hard to keep the Vermont Air National Guard's computers running, Tech. Sgt. Richard E. Schneider, a Communications Squadron client systems technician of the Vermont Air National Guard, resolved more than 350 computer issues and built, configured and distributed more than 300 systems for 2014. He was also instrumental in creating a computer warehouse production capacity, resulting in a 300 percent growth of storage and production output. Working on his professional development, during this time he completed courses toward his Community College of the Air Force degree and a 40-hour Microsoft Network Plus course while maintaining a 4.0 average.
Schneider's dedication and devotion to nation and brother-in-arms was further demonstrated with volunteering and supporting six Honor Flight events.
Airman 1st Class Christopher T. Riani
"I live by the words of Thomas Paine when he said, 'He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.'"
Airman 1st Class Christopher T. Riani, a Communications Squadron client systems technician of the Vermont Air National Guard, meticulously managed a 3,400 item inventory in excess of $4 million with zero discrepancies in 2014. As part of his job he also coordinated the processing and returns of over $200,000 of government assets. He also implemented work-place improvements resulting in a reduction of computer maintenance inventory by 50 percent and customer waiting time by 25 percent. He's also made an impact on the shop's morale by creating a logo to be used for Communications Squadron coins and shirts.
Outside of the VTANG he has earned credits to his Community College of the Air Force degree and volunteers as a member of the Vermont Economic Development Commission for the Town of Essex, fostering a positive military image within the community.
| Date Taken: | 05.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2015 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 172782 |
| Location: | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 2014 Airmen of the Year, by SSgt Victoria Greenia, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
