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Global Strike Airman earns top Air Force honors

  • Published
  • By Maja Z. Stevanovich
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La --  An Air Force Global Strike Command Airman from Minot AFB, N.D., was honored as one of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during the annual Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference in Washington D.C. Sept. 13.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Pfeifer, a convoy response force leader from the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, was selected for this award due to his job and leadership expertise, according to Tech. Sgt. Christopher Jones, supervisor and flight chief.

Sergeant Pfeifer is third in command during convoy operations, serving as the commander's driver and supervising more than 35 Airmen when transporting sensitive missile components--a responsibility often filled by a more senior-ranking person.

"Airmen hang on his every word--he truly is a role model as others are inspired to his level of performance," Sergeant Jones said.

Sergeant Pfeifer's demonstrated abilities made him the natural choice to brief the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on convoy operations, Sergeant Jones said. This is an "exceedingly rare" opportunity for a junior enlisted member.

"Briefing the Chairman on the base's nuclear convoy security and weapons was an honor," Sergeant Pfeifer said. "To represent Minot and the nuclear heritage to such a high ranking official was an incredible experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity."

These accomplishments have been noticed at all levels of the Command.

"Ryan optimizes our Command's value of 'critical self-assessment of our performance' and has excelled in all areas," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson. "He's a member of an elite and highly disciplined team of defenders from Minot and the entire team from the Air Force Global Strike Command is proud of him."

The Colorado native takes his success in stride and credits his team for his achievement.

"Working in the missile field, you spend so much time with your team that they become your family," Sergeant Pfeifer said. "If it wasn't for all of their hard work I wouldn't be receiving this recognition," he added.

Sergeant Pfeifer states he enjoys his job and was inspired at a young age to one day join the Air Force.

The sight of Air Force jets flying overhead from nearby Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., and a visit to the Air Force Academy "made me partial to the Air Force," said Sergeant Pfeifer, who is also working on his private pilot's license in his spare time.