Nellis airman honored with Air Combat Command award

Dick Benoit

Thursday, June 28, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

A Nellis Air Force Base troop has won the first command-level award presented by Air Combat Command.

Senior Airman Joshua Gibson is the first airman category, Maintenance Professional of the Year.

According to base spokesman Lt. Carla Pampe, the command has long recognized officers and noncommissioned officers for maintenance excellence, but this year is the first time the headquarters has recognized one of the frontline troops.

Gibson is a structural maintenance craftsman with the 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. The young airman, who has been in the Air Force two years, says he is excited about the recognition.

"At first it didn't really sink in," he said, "because I didn't really know what it meant. Then I began to realize how important this really is. I really can't describe the feeling."

Gibson had some advice for his fellow airmen at the base.

"You might think people don't notice, but they do. Take pride in what you do, because it reflects on you."

Meritorious service noted

Army Staff Sgt. Raymond Luna, the son of Josefino C. and Esther G. Luna of Las Vegas, has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal.

The medal awards outstanding achievement or meritorious service for the Army while on duty.

Luna received the medal while assigned as a helicopter mechanic with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

In brief

The aircraft armament systems specialist serves as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the support section for the unit and says he is looking forward to an overseas tour of duty in Korea next February.