SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command holds its annual recognition ceremony here, March 21, to celebrate the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

In a message to the men and women across the command, Gen. Ray Johns, AMC commander, announced the ceremony which will have family members and nominees in various categories visiting Scott AFB from March 18-21, 2012, to honor the nominees and winners.

"With great pride and honor, Chief (Master Sgt. Andy) Kaiser (AMC command chief) and I announce Air Mobility Command's Outstanding Airmen of the Year and First Sergeant of the Year finalists, Air Mobility Command's CMSAF Honor Guard Member and Program Manager of the Year nominees, and Air Mobility Command's First Sergeant Council and Honor Guard Team of the Year Award winners," the message from Johns states. "These awards recognize individuals whose exceptional achievements and leadership qualities set them apart and distinguished them from their peers."

Following are the categories and nominees for the annual AMC awards:

Junior enlisted finalists:
- Staff Sgt. Matthew James, 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- Senior Airman Ryan Smith, 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.
- Airman 1st Class Jamila Tanada, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Directorate of Communications, Scott AFB, Illinois

NCO finalists:
- Tech. Sgt. Serita Baysmore, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Directorate of Manpower and Personnel, Scott AFB, Ill.
- Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rivera, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
- Tech. Sgt. Shannon Webster, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany

Senior NCO finalists:
- Senior Master Sgt. Donald Breitkreutz, Headquarters Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- Senior Master Sgt. Laura Callaway, 60th Medical Operations Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- Master Sgt. Joseph Neubauer, Mobility Operations School, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey

First sergeant finalists:
- Master Sgt. Jeffrey Gilbert, 436th Operations Support Squadron, Dover AFB, Del.
- Master Sgt. Steven Hart, 628th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
- Master Sgt. Jamie Jordan, 721st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany

In addition to the Outstanding Airmen of the Year, following are the nominees for other annual awards.

AMC's Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Honor Guard Member of the Year nominee
- Senior Airman Robert Romero, 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.

AMC's Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year nominee
- Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Moore, 627th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

AMC's Honor Guard Team of the Year Award winners
- 87th Air Base Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

AMC's First Sergeant Council of the Year winners
- 319th Air Base Wing, Grand Forks, North Dakota

The message also noted that "competition this year was fierce."

"All of the candidates demonstrated tremendous leadership and dedication," the message from the AMC commander states. "Please accept my sincere congratulations to the nominees, and thanks to all the mobility airmen for making a positive difference around the world and across the entire spectrum of operations.

"To all of our mobility airmen, thank you! Your commitment, sacrifice, and leadership make a tremendous difference around the world. Congratulations again to our finalists and winners, and my best wishes for your continued success."