Bishop Escorts Columbus Native, Airmen of the Year, MSgt R. C. Deese, II
Washington, DC – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-2) escorted Air Force Times Airman of the Year: MSgt Rodney C. Deese, II, of Columbus, Georgia, today at the 10th Annual Military Times Services Members of the Year Awards Ceremony, hosted by Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS).
This year’s honorees also included Army Times Soldier of the Year: SSG Zackary T. Filip; Navy Times Sailor of the Year: NC1 (SW/AW) Kylee W. Bolibrzuch; Navy Times Coast Guardsman of the Year: LCDR Richard A. Angelet; Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year: SSgt David E. Vogt, III.
Winners are selected from peer nominations by readers of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times. The awards recognize service members who have made special contributions and performed dedicated, outstanding service everyday, on every level, often without fanfare or broad recognition.
“MSgt Deese embodies the true spirit of our Armed Forces with his dedicated service, loyalty and devotion to his family and community,” said Congressman Bishop. “He strives to better the lives of others, and because of his amazing contributions, he is truly an everyday hero.”
In past year alone, MSgt Deese has helped to build multi-national partnerships with Air Forces and services from eastern bloc countries, including 19 NATO allies.
Many of his achievements are noteworthy firsts, including leading the contact team that, for the first time in DoD history, secured Air Force slots at the German Staff Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) Academy; assisting the Botswana Defense Force in building its NCO training model; and paving the way for two Romanian students to attend the Kisling NCO Academy, a first for the U.S. Air Force in Europe.
In addition, Deese implemented changes at the Academy, including energy conservation efforts, earning him the 2009 HQ USAFE/DS Staff NCO of the Year Award.
He recently completed his Masters Degree in Leadership with Dean’s List honors and earned the German Air Force’s Expert Marksman Award.
Deese, a native of Columbus, Georgia, and his wife, Shannon, have a family of seven children. He is stationed at Kisling NCO Academy (USAFE), Kapaun Air Station, Germany (on Vogelweh Air Base), serving as the Director of Resources/First Sergeant.
Left to Right: Gen Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force; Melanie Gray, Air Force Times Managing Editor; MSgt Rodney C. Deese, II, Air Force Times 2010 Airman of the Year; and Congressman Bishop.
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