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AFSOC analyst named Outstanding Airman of the Year

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Buffy Galbraith
  • Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Air Force officials announced this week the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, and an Air Force Special Operations Command quiet professional has been named one of the service's top enlisted members.
 
Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, AFSOC commander, announced to a standing-room-only crowd, that Senior Airman Mary Bullock, an imagery analyst assigned to the 11th Intelligence Squadron, is an Outstanding Airman of the Year. 

"Senior Airman Bullock is an exceptional Airman and it's no surprise she has risen to the top of the competition," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Gilbert, AFSOC command chief. 

One example of how Airman Bullock has risen to the top is when she answered the call for a 179-day deployment with two days notice. An avid supporter of Airmen Against Drunk Driving and a volunteer at a local animal shelter, she routinely volunteers her time on and off base. Her willingness to go above and beyond her duties is what helped her to earn the distinction as AFSOC's Airman of the Year.
 
"She comes from a part of our command people often don't think of when they think of AFSOC - those who work night and day, seven days a week in darkened rooms finding, fixing, and in many cases helping finish, our enemies," said Chief Gilbert. 

Airman Bullock came in on the ground floor of a newly formed squadron as the first Airman assigned to the 11th IS from technical school in September 2006. She conducts full-motion video and all-source analysis for U.S. Special Operations Command and its components, monitors targets for activity and personnel of interest, and creates intelligence products tailored for specific special operations forces missions. 

"The team of Airmen on the 11th IS is second-to-none, and we work well together and support one another," said Airman Bullock. "Best of all, we have leadership that constantly presents us with challenges that enable us to excel. My personal success comes from outstanding leadership, a supportive family and, most importantly, God." 

Since its inception in 1956, personal success and achievement are aspects this award has used to recognize 12 outstanding enlisted personnel, as well as superior leadership, job performance, and community involvement. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer and selected major command chiefs form the selection board, and the Air Force Chief of Staff reviews the selections. 

"When I first found out that I had won, I was totally shocked to be selected for such an outstanding award," said Airman Bullock. "It is a huge honor and I am very proud to be representing my unit and the entire Air Force." 

The 12 Outstanding Airmen are awarded the Outstanding Airman ribbon with the bronze service star device and wear the Outstanding Airman badge for one year. They also serve on the Air Force Enlisted Council for one year. The Air Force Association will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen at its annual convention in Washington. 

"She's a great Airman with a great story to tell," said Chief Gilbert. "She represents all the outstanding Airmen in our command and throughout the Air Force, and we are very proud of her."