Annual award winners unveiled for 2021 Published Jan. 28, 2022 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio -- WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh -- Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jason Shaffer, 88 ABW command chief, announced the wing’s 2021 award winners during a virtual ceremony Jan. 21. Thirteen winners were named from 52 individuals and units representing four groups. The commander praised all for the year’s accomplishments and mission contributions. “These servant leaders epitomize the best of us and serve as flag bearers for their respective teams,” Miller said. “Congratulations on your recognition. Being selected as a group annual award winner is no small feat.” The 88th Medical Group did particularly well, with seven of its nominees being named wing winners. Senior Airman Shanika Tophia earned both Airman of the Year and Honor Guard Member of the Year. The wing winners will go on to compete for Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awards. This year’s 88th Air Base Wing annual award winners are: Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Shanika Tophia, 88th Medical Group NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Kiah Kent, 88 MDG Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Wendi DiBartolomeo, 88th Communications Group First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Sean Loveland, 88 MDG Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Elizabeth Andrade, 88 CG Field Grade Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Joshua Scott, 88 MDG Category I Civilian of the Year: Christopher Stringfield, 88 MDG Category II Civilian of the Year: Aaron Whitsel, 88th Civil Engineer Group Category III Civilian of the Year: Alana Kitchen, Wing Staff Agency, Staff Judge Advocate Office Team of the Year: COVID-19 Rapid Support and Response Team Honor Guard Member of the Year: Tophia, 88 MDG Squadron of the Year: 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron Spouse of the Year: Paige Crawford, Wing Staff Agency, 88th Comptroller Squadron 2021 group award winners and nominees: Airman of the Year Senior Airman Aaron Mabberly – 88 CG Senior Airman Hayley Ritter – 88th Mission Support Group Airman 1st Class Hilda Taleno – WSA Airman 1st Class Chase Teates – 88 CEG Senior Airman Shanika Tophia, 88 MDG NCO of the Year Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Hollopeter – 88 CEG Tech. Sgt. Jeremi Welborn – 88 CG Tech. Sgt. Kiah Kent – 88 MDG Tech. Sgt. Barrett Curlis – 88 MSG Tech. Sgt. Gregory Pflugh – WSA Senior NCO of the Year Master Sgt. Nathaniel Saujon – 88 CEG Master Sgt. Wendi DiBartolomeo – 88 CG Master Sgt. Cass Vaughn – 88 MDG Senior Master Sgt. Jesus Gonzalez – 88 MSG Master Sgt. Christin Foley – WSA First Sergeant of the Year Master Sgt. Andrew Davis – 88 CG Master Sgt. Sean Loveland – 88 MSG Master Sgt. Ericlee Albarran – WSA Company Grade Officer of the Year Capt. Elizabeth Andrade – 88 CG Capt. Richard Wells III – 88 MDG First Lt. Justin O’Brien – 88 MSG Capt. Samantha Poindexter – WSA Field Grade Officer of the Year Maj. Hollis Troxel – 88 CG Lt. Col. Joshua Scott – 88 MDG Maj. James Davern Jr. – 88 MSG Maj. Gordon Randall – WSA Civilian Category I Christopher Hess – 88 CG Christopher Stringfield – 88 MDG Indigo Hanahan – 88 MSG Kellie Lowe – WSA Civilian Category II Aaron Whitsel – 88 CEG Michael Gunther – 88 CG Allen Cowley – 88 MDG Matthew Lewis – 88 MDG Thomas Pavlick – WSA Civilian Category III Noah Fillian – 88 CEG Julie Sutton – 88 CG Evelyn Heimer – 88 MDG Brandon Dixon – 88 MSG Alana Kitchen – WSA Team of the Year COVID-19 Rapid Support and Response Team – 88 CEG, 88 CG, 88 MSG, 88 MDG and WSA (Large Team) DTS Pharmacy – 88 MDG Security Forces Investigation Team – 88 MSG FM Humanitarian Response Team – WSA Honor Guard Member of the Year Staff Sgt. Adam Aljabi – 88th Security Forces Squadron Tophia – 88 MDG Tech. Sgt. Jordan Standberg – U.S Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Squadron of the Year 88th Communications Squadron – 88 CG 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron – 88 MDG 88th Force Support Squadron – 88 MSG 88th Comptroller Squadron – WSA Spouse of the Year Paige Crawford – WSA, 88 CPTS