Team Holloman member named 12 AF SNCO of The Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Terri Barriere
  • 49th Fighter Wing Historyoffice
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A Holloman senior noncommissioned officer said he received the biggest honor in his 16 year career when he was recently named the 12th Air Force Senior NCO of The Year. 

Senior Master Sgt. Larry Blume, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent, said he was surprised and shocked to find out he won the award because he'd never won anything more than quarterly awards before. 

Sergeant Blume attributes winning the award to the great teams of people he worked with both here and in the area of responsibility he was deployed to for 179 days. 

Though the sergeant generously shares his success, his triumph can also be attributed to the many hours of volunteer work, the promotion ceremonies he spearheaded while in the AOR or aiding in clearing 13 acres of prior mined Soviet airfields. 

"Senior Master Sgt. Blume was chosen for this award not only for the outstanding work he did while here at Holloman and while deployed with RED HORSE, but also for his involvement at all levels with Holloman and the local community," said Lt. Col. Andra Clappsaddle, 49 CES commander. "His record is impressive across the board - with his duty performance, self-improvement and base and community involvement." 

Colonel Clappsaddle said she knew Sergeant Blume had a great chance at winning this year based on past experience. Last year 49 CES had both the 12 AF NCO of the year and the company grade officer of the year. 

"I think Sergeant Blume is a great role model for other enlisted personnel, she said. "His exceptional duty performance and his commitment and involvement at all levels highlight the caliber of SNCOs we have here at Holloman and in the Air Force. I've been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him during my tenure here at Holloman."