Military Professional of the year, best of the best recognized Published March 17, 2008 By Senior Anthony Nelson Jr 49FW/PA HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. -- The 49th Material Maintenance Group, Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR), Military professional of the year Banquet took place March 12, in honor and recognition of the "best of the best" from the 49th MMG. The banquet acknowledged superior performers and their achievements from the past year. This year's banquet was a combination of MPOY and Annual Awards. Winners Materiel Management Airman of the Year 2007 SrA Latoya Smitherman,49th Materiel Maintenance Group Materiel Management NCO of the Year 2007 MSgt Eric McDonald, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Materiel Management SNCO of the Year 2007 SMSgt Kim Baker, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Logistics Readiness CGO of the Year 2007 1Lt John Harding, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Transportation Airman of the Year 2007 A1C Jayme Smithee, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group CMSgt Larry R. Daniels Military Superintendent Award 2007 SMSgt David Martin, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group The Major General Eugene A. Lupia Military Technician Award 2007 MSgt James Washington, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Communication and Information Airman of the Year 2007 A1C Thomas Young, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Communication and Information Civilian of the Year 2007 Mrs. Becky Utecht, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group, Professional Provider of the Year 2007 A1C Luiz Ogaz, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group SrA Christopher Clark, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group TSgt Thomas Sampson, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group NCO MSgt Eric McDonald, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group NCO SMSgt David Berridge, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group SNCO SMSgt Kim Baker, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group SNCO 1Lt John Harding, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group CGO Capt Peter Joo, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group CGO Mr. Robert Rowe, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Civilian Mr. Stacey Hodges, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Civilian Airman of the Year 2007. SrA Wayno Sanchez, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group NCO of the Year 2007 TSgt Felicia Hamilton, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group SNCO of the Year 2007 SMSgt Kim Baker, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group CGO of the Year 2007 Capt Sisto Ortiz, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Category I Civilian of the Year 2007 Mrs. Becky Utecht, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group Category II Civilian of the Year 2007 Mrs. Marilyn Darby, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group According to Technical Sgt. Thomas Sampson, Heating ventilation and air condition technician, the 49th MMG annual awards means, "The best of the best, being recognized amongst their peers. This also shows the importance of first line supervisors because that took the time to put the packages in." he said. For some, the awards banquet served as a motivational tool. "The 49th MMG annual awards motivate me to work harder and master my craft," said Airman 1st Class Sloan S. Miller. Airman Miller also said she was ecstatic to see that hard work is not over looked. Members of the 49th MMG is responsible for the rapid deployment of basic expeditionary airfield resources and is the only military unit in the Air Force that mobilizes technical assistance teams to employ BEAR assets worldwide. BEAR base Stores, maintains, reconstitutes and trains personnel to ensure the readiness of War Reserve Materiel valued at $238M.