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Fairchild First Sergeant Council named AMC Council of the Year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Every year, Air Mobility Command recognizes outstanding Airmen across the command in an annual ceremony. Earlier this year, the Fairchild Air Force Base First Sergeant Council was recognized as the First Sergeant Council of the Year.

Airmen recognized in the annual ceremony include AMC’s Outstanding Airman of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year finalists, AMC’s Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Honor Guard Member and Program Manager of the Year nominees, AMC’s First Sergeant Council and Honor Guard Team of the Year Award winners. These awards recognize individuals whose exceptional achievements and leadership qualities distinguish them from their peers.

“We built a robust team by reaching out to our sister services including the 141st Washington Air National Guard,” said Master Sgt. Aron Garrard, 336th Training Support Squadron first sergeant and previous Fairchild First Sergeant Council president. “By reaching out, we were able to cultivate a joint team effort; not only caring for our Airmen but all military members in the surrounding area.”

The Fairchild First Sergeant Council is comprised of 22 active duty members, numerous ANG and Air Force Reserve members. A first sergeant is a special, senior NCO position in which the first sergeant provides a dedicated focal point for all readiness, health, morale, welfare and quality-of-life issues within their organization.

The Fairchild First Sergeant Council significantly improved wing quality of life during 2015 by giving their time, attention and dedication to more than 3,000 base personnel. With a 62 percent first sergeant shortage, the group was able to maintain wing morale and readiness. In 2015, the council encouraged Airmen to take full advantage of education benefits; $1.4 million was utilized in tuitions assistance and used toward 17 master’s degrees, 30 bachelor’s degrees and 150 Community College of the Air Force degrees. The council also led a dormitory project, securing nearly $1 million for dorm renovations.

The council is not only active on base, they volunteered hundreds of hours giving back to the greater Spokane community. In 2015, the council raised $100,000 while working with a local organization to aid in the health and welfare of impoverished families. They also managed a monthly volunteer program with the local veteran’s hospital, arranging 180 volunteers and giving back to more than 300 veterans.

“My goal for this next year is to build on what we have already established,” said Master Sgt. Magdalena Trujillo, 22nd Training Squadron first sergeant and the Fairchild First Sergeant Council’s president. “We will continue to improve Team Fairchild’s quality of life, contribute and support the needs of the community and base and further develop our Airmen.”