Diversity & Inclusion Awards

Technical Sergeant Roland S. Pauli distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as the social media Team Lead, Hispanic Empowerment & Advancement Team, 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. During this period, Sergeant Pauli led one of seven Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Groups designed to address diversity, equity, and inclusion gaps. He led the group's first-ever social media team responsible for distributing information to over 900 members in 11 countries. He managed 15,000 social media engagements and distributed information for over 50 community events drawing over 400 attendees, enabling 120 percent member growth in less than 90 days. Additionally, he launched the team's first framework to codify crucial team processes, enabling continuity and an enduring legacy. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of a culturally diverse Department, bringing awareness of Hispanic culture to over 325,000 total force members in line with Secretary of Defense diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Pauli reflect credit upon himself, the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Sharon J. Hendricks distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Unit Deployment Manager, 647th Air Base Group/HC, 15th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. During this period, Sergeant Hendricks served as Unit Deployment Manager for the 8th IS and deployed 22 Airmen in support of 11 short notice taskings, culminating in USFJ's bilateral analyst cell's execution of 248 MQ-9 missions and more than 3,000 collection requirements being satisfied. Additionally, she showed unparalleled initiative with her creation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion council for the unit, prompting over 500 members to be trained and developed for the SECAF's number one priority. Finally, Sergeant Hendricks served as a Religious Affairs NCO, managing over 400 personnel and 100,000 dollars in resources to refurbish and improve the five facilities of the Hickam Air Force Base Chapel. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Hendricks reflect credit upon herself, the 647th Air Base Group and the United States Air Force.

Senior Airman Derrick A. Harding distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Readiness Journeyman, 105th Force Support Squadron, 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York. During this period, Airman Harding managed mission critical training requirements by completing 63 proficiency tasks and leading a two-day search and recovery course for 24 personnel in preparation for the upcoming UEI. His leadership in an active shooter exercise involving three units and 61 personnel earned him recognition as a Top Performer by the IG. Additionally, as a key member of the Rising 4, he coordinated base-wide events, 'Paint & Sip' and 'Safe Space,' raising awareness on Diversity & Inclusion for 85 members. Airman Harding also organized a variety of outreach initiatives for base personnel, strengthening community ties and fostering positive morale within the squadron. Finally, he developed a SharePoint scheduling tool for outbound deployers, improving training efficiency by 20 percent. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Harding reflect credit upon himself, the 105th Force Support Squadron and the United States Air Force.

As the Misawa Air Base Asian Pacific Islander (MAPI) president, SSgt Everette fostered an innovative and harmonious environment between and among the Uniformed Services. In this role, she guided 200+ members, organized 14 fundraisers, and backed ten joint service and three Wing events, generating $5,000 while promoting esprit de corps among Air Force, Navy, and Army personnel and strengthening relations with local JASDAF comrades.

SSgt Everette promoted the tenets of the U.S. Constitution, civil and human rights, equal opportunity, and public service by educating the 35th Fighter Wing community on Asian and Pacific Islander culture. She promoted diversity among the Wing by coordinating the Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Opening and Closing ceremonies, hosting a toy drive for a host nation orphanage, teaching life style classes to forty child development center children and lecturing on diversity and inclusion to over 500 Sollars Elementary School students.

SSgt Everette serves as the NCOIC of the Physical Therapy clinic and contributed to equal opportunity in the selection, promotion, or retention of women and minorities in senior ranking positions and under-represented occupations by distributing opportunities for leadership positions not only within the MAPI organization but also within the unit. During this time, she ensured proper vetting processes and equal opportunities were available to members across the Group's largest squadron.

SSgt Everette contributed to the personal and professional growth of her peers by promoting the development or advancement of members of the Uniformed Services by becoming a facilitator for First Term Airmen Courses, where she facilitated 12 classes and chaired a Non-Commissioned Officer Panel, focusing on ethical and moral dilemmas, core values, leadership, and career progression which helped shape the future of first term Airmen.

As the assistant squadron secretary and MAPI President, SSgt Everette created opportunities that support and contribute to the mentorship, development, advancement or retention of women and minorities in government service consistent with merit based principles. In her position as the squadron secretary, she assisted the Squadron Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader by ensuring the highest Air Force standards were met for nominations of members for special duties. As MAPI President, she hosted a variety of events that promoted diversity and inclusion on Misawa AB.

Master Sergeant Marcus M. Sawtelle distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Operations Engineering Superintendent, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. During this period, Sergeant Sawtelle led 45 engineers in the management of labor, material, and forty million dollars in annual contracts for Vandenberg's 3rd largest flight. He managed a 750 thousand dollar Government Purchase Card program and was charged with assessing 2,200 facilities across 118,000 acres valued at 11 billion dollars. Additionally, he was hand-selected as the installation's Black History Month Chairperson and led a team of six in launching seven base wide diversity events, integrating seven squadrons, and establishing unity through education to 478 event attendees. Finally, Sergeant Sawtelle led four Sub-Activity managers in the revision of U.S. Space Force's largest facility assessment program, refining and reducing the 12 month program by 50 percent and capturing the October 2024 deadline for fiscal year 25's incentive six months ahead of schedule. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Sawtelle reflect great credit upon himself, the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Katherine L. Alhambra distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Chief, Joint Education Division, LeMay Center for Doctrine and Education, Warfighting Education, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. During this period, Colonel Alhambra oversaw the execution of the Department of the Air Force's only operational joint task force staff course, certifying over 800 Airmen with the delivery of 29 courses. She expertly navigated the Air Force's Education Requirements Board and secured 800,000 dollars in professional continuing education funds, increasing course allocation by 65 percent. Additionally, as the Center's lead for Diversity and Inclusion, Colonel Alhambra enhanced the faculty culture and development with an extensive barrier analysis and implemented working groups to open conversations at all levels. Her efforts were lauded by the Air University Commander and benchmarked around the academic circle. Finally, Colonel Alhambra's team brought joint planning to our coalition partners ensuring Central Command's Command Post Exercise Eagle Resolve was successful, and validating the Gulf Region's security and stability through partnership. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Alhambra reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Erik D Clayborn distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Ambulance Services technician, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. During this period, Sergeant Clayborn provided around the clock base Emergency Medical Services and in-flight emergency response for Cannon Air Force Base. He responded to 130 calls, treated 45 patients, and transported 29 patients to higher echelon care, resulting in zero loss of life. Additionally, he founded the first ever Asian Pacific American Heritage Association at Cannon Air Force Base. As founder, he recruited 77 members, led two Wing events, and raised 1,500 dollars on behalf of the organization. His combined efforts were key to the organization clinching the Air Force Special Operations Command's Team Diversity and Inclusion Award. Furthermore, Sergeant Clayborn served as flight supply custodian and was responsible for the tracking and coordination of medical equipment valued at 214,000 dollars. He also revised two medical storage inventories, saving the Air Force 60,000 dollars in assets and optimized operation capabilities. Finally, he augmented the immunization clinic, and assisted 16 vaccine lines and inoculated more than 10,000 members, contributing to the unit winning the Air Force Special Operations Command Best Clinic of the Year Award. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Clayborn reflect credit upon himself, the 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron, and the United States Air Force.

Master Sergeant Cynthia M Simpson distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Aircraft Fuel Systems Section Chief, 28th Maintenance Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. During this period, Sergeant Simpson oversaw 2,456 maintenance actions supporting seven higher headquarters missions spanning three Combatant Commands, resulting in the squadron earning the Air Force Global Strike Command Maintenance Effectiveness Award. In addition, she pioneered a new path for Raider Culture by bringing leaders together to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, ensuring that a culture of belonging and mutual respect was a focal point of the installation. Finally, her tireless efforts led to her being appointed as the Wing's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager where she stood up the command's first dedicated office and culminated in her being awarded the 2022 Goldfein-Wright Inclusive Leadership Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Simpson reflect credit upon herself, the 28th Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Airman First Class Franswa R. Russel distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as Language Analyst, 34th Intelligence Squadron, 70th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconaissance Wing, Fort Meade, Maryland. During this period, Airman Russel demonstrated her dedication to the betterment and education of her fellow Airmen regarding diversity and inclusion topics. She attended a six-week environmental racism course and used the information learned from this experience to educate her fellow flight members. In addition, she participated in and supported COVID-19 countermeasures to help protect Fort Meade personnel by assisting the medical facility, limiting the spread of the disease. Finally, Airman Russel volunteered her time to bettering the environment and took the initiative in multiple endeavors such as going to classes on sustainability and calling companies for the purpose of educating them on environmentally friendly best practices. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Russel reflect credit upon herself, the 34th Intelligence Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Erika A Morris distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as Aircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman, 317th Operations Support Squadron, 317th Operations Group, 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. During this period, Sergeant Morris led the flight's largest section of 14 Airmen, oversaw 12,000 equipment and aircraft inspections, and trained members on 370 OJT tasks, enabling 260 TACC missions moving over six million pounds of cargo. In addition, she developed a 5,000-item decontamination plan, reinstating two deployed packages and disinfecting five million dollars of assets, essentially restoring MAF's readiness posture. Further, she chaired the Wing's Diversity Day committee, led a 12 member team and developed inclusion programs for 600 Airmen in the first annual Diversity Day event and CSAF directive. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Morris reflect credit upon herself, the 317th Operations Support Squadron, and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Sean K. Daily distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Commander's Support Staff Craftsman, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 4th Maintenance Group, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. During this period, Sergeant Daily processed 772 reports at CSS and MPS level decreasing late evaluations by 45 percent and contributing to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Additionally, he resurrected the Wing INTRO program by revising base in-processing procedures, while complying with 4th Fighter Wing policies, eradicating a 12-month sponsor backlog. Moreover, he conducted four INTRO Staff Assistance Visits, ensuring 100 percent compliance. Furthermore, his key position on the Diversity & Inclusion team was instrumental as the team was recognized by the Headquarters Air Force Diversity & Inclusion Staff and deemed a "Benchmark" event for Air Combat Command. Finally, he helped prevent 32 Outbound Assignments Category One discrepancies and revised outbound assignment procedures, managed Permanent Change of Station orders, and led the Career Development section to winning the Team Bolt Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Daily reflect credit upon himself, the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Major Angela M. Alvarado distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Staff Psychologist, 48th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, 48th Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. During this period, Major Alvarado provided comprehensive mental health treatment and consultation services for three installations in support of 35,000 beneficiaries. She completed 1,340 mental health evaluations and provided over 900 hours of timely crisis support. Additionally, Major Alvarado oversaw the Mental Health Flight's Transgender Care Program, providing subject matter expertise to healthcare providers across the Medical Group to ensure compassionate care for 27 patients receiving gender transition medical care. Finally, as Family Advocacy Officer, she led 11 members in the management of five critical domestic violence and child abuse prevention and intervention programs for four Wings on behalf of the Family Advocacy Officer. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major Alvarado reflect great credit upon herself, the 48th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and the United States Air Force.