Spotlight!
Kunsan 8th Fighter Wing recognizes 2024 annual award winners
By
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs February 20, 2025
Senior Airman James Johnson
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs February 20, 2025
8th Fighter Wing annual award winners pose for a photo on Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 14, 2025. The winners were selected as the top performers in their respective category for the calendar year 2024. (Senior Airman James Johnson)
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- On the evening of February 14, the 8th Fighter Wing gathered for a special ceremony to honor the 2024 wing annual award winners.
The event celebrated the achievements and contributions of the outstanding men and women nominated by their leadership.
During the ceremony, Col. Peter Kasarskis, 8th FW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Nathan Chrestensen, 8th FW command chief, had the honor of recognizing the award winners.
“These accomplishments are the byproduct of the attitude that makes not only the Wolf Pack great, but the Air Force as a whole,” said Kasarskis. “I am extremely proud of everyone, and thank you for your energy and effort.”
Most of the 2024 award winners will now proceed to represent the 8th FW at the 7th Air Force level, where they will compete for recognition among the best of the best.
The following Wolf Pack members were named the 8th FW annual award winners for 2024:
Civilian Category I - Mr. Son Yi - 8th Mission Support Group
Civilian Category II - Ms. Huichong Kim - 8th Mission Support Group
Civilian Category III - Mr. Kwang Park - 8th Mission Support Group
Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Adam Olea - 8th Mission Support Group
NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Kathy Sells- 8th Operations Group
Senior NCO of the Year - Senior Master Sgt. Shelly Schofield - 8th Maintenance Group
Company Grade Officer of the Year - 1st Lt. Mackenzie Clay - 8th Mission Support Group
Field Grade Officer of the Year - Maj. Kevin Dugan - 8th Operations Group
First Sergeant of the Year - Master Sgt. Eugene Harrison Jr. - 8th Operations Group
Flight Commander of the Year - Maj. Cari Gandy - 8th Mission Support Group
Volunteer of the Year - Staff Sgt. Nicholas Smith - 8th Mission Support Group
Honor Guard Member of the Year - Senior Airman Elijah Balderas - 8th Mission Support Group
Team of the Year - Fuels Management Flight - 8th Mission Support Group