2021 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tamara R. Dabney
  • 103rd Airlift Wing

Senior Airman Grace Seddon, Outstanding Airman of the Year

Total years of Service: 3 years

Date joined the Connecticut Air National Guard: May 2018

Unit: Logistics Readiness Squadron

Official Duty Title: Logistics Plans Journeyman

Hometown: Stafford, Conn.

Why do you serve?

“I serve in the CT Air National Guard so that I am able to help my community and country. I also serve for the benefits, such as tuition waiver, discounts, VA loans, traveling, and health insurance.” 

In 2021, Senior Airman Grace Seddon displayed excellence, performing above and beyond expectations.

As a Senior Airman, Seddon performed tasks that are typically done by the Logistics Plans superintendent, deploying 235 Airmen with zero mission impact discrepancies. A total of more than 2,000 Army and Air Guard troops of were deployed on-time. Furthermore, Seddon oversaw Operation ALLIES WELCOME troop rotations, managing the redeployment and replacement of more than 600 airmen.

Whenever there was a need to be fulfilled, Seddon was always willing to step up to the plate. She volunteered to lead Deployment Control Center operations for the 104th Fighter Wing’s Logistics Readiness Exercise. Her performance during the LRE led to her receiving a coin for excellence from the 104th Mission Support Group Commander.

Seddon managed and oversaw 17 unit deployment managers, providing daily briefings and updates. She revamped the UDM wing training program by building a new framework to track records, ensuring the effectiveness of the program.

Seddon’s leadership described her as an “absolute workhorse” and a “shining representation of the 103rd Airlift Wing.

 

Tech. Sgt. Kelsie Gorman, Outstanding Non-commissioned Officer of the Year

Total years of service:  9 Years 

Date joined the Connecticut Air National Guard:  April 2013

Unit:  103rd Logistics Readiness Squadron 

Official Duty Title:  Air Transportation Craftsman

Hometown:  Watertown, Conn.

Why do you serve?

“I serve because I wake up every day with a sense of pride knowing I am part of something bigger than myself; a family that supports each other and their community. I serve because of the sense of purpose and honor that the Connecticut Guard gives me, because I love being part of the greatest team on earth!”

Tech. Sgt. Kelsie Gorman has proven herself to be an effective leader and an outstanding NCO. During Operation ALLIES REFUGE, the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in history, she supervised 54 airmen, facilitating the movement of 124,000 people on 537 missions out of Afghanistan.

Gorman developed communication with airplane carrier representatives, which, at a critical point during the operation, led to 460 evacuees being able to leave Afghanistan within 4 hour timespan. Her work helped ensure safety and security, and prevented $1.2 million of waste.

As a key member of the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, Gorman was recognized for excellence and personally thanked by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Additionally, Gorman provided humanitarian aid to Afghan evacuees, distributing food, diapers and infant formula. She also personally carried babies to the safety of awaiting aircraft. Furthermore, Gorman identified no-fly evacuees, ensuring security for the US and allies.

Before her involvement with OAW, Gorman had a key role in the Connecticut Guard’s domestic operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gorman supported five statewide distribution sites, which resulted in the distribution of 81 million items of PPE. Additionally, Gorman successfully managed the passenger manifest process for a deployment to Washington, D.C. in support of Operation CAPITOL RESPONSE.

 

Master Sgt. Jessica Roy, Outstanding Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year

Total years of service: 20 years, 5 months

Date joined the Connecticut Air National Guard: October 2001 (Roy’s initial enlistment date was Sep 11, 2001. It was delayed due to the 9/11 attacks)

Unit: 103rd Security Forces Squadron

Official Duty Title: Intelligence and Investigations Superintendent and Anti-Terrorism Program Manager

Hometown: Roy grew up in East Windsor, Conn. She currently resides in Avon, Conn.

Why do you serve?

“I serve because I wanted a better life and followed in my brother’s footsteps. I serve to be a part of something bigger and make my mark on the world. I serve because I love it. I serve to be a good role model for my children.”

Master Sgt. Jessica Roy was selected as the most outstanding Security Forces Senior Non-commissioned Officer from amongst 94 other Security Forces Squadrons across all 50 states within the Air National Guard.

During the past year, Roy has bolstered relationships both on and off base, and has produced unparalleled results in multiple squadron and Wing programs. Specifically, Roy was singularly responsible for planning and executing the Wing’s first ever counter small-unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS) joint exercise. From concept to execution, Roy was the lynchpin for coordinating with multiple base, state and federal agencies to ensure delivery of the base’s first C-sUAS exercise.

Additionally, Roy led a four-Defender team during Operation COBRA, a joint operation at Union Station in Hartford, in which her team of Defenders fused with local law enforcement to train and plan for an unspecified threat to rail-based public mass transit systems.

In 2021, Roy’s work with outside organizations was critical to the 103rd’s ability to projecting its capabilities outside of the base. During this period, she worked with Wing leadership to coordinate and host the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) UAS working group.

Furthermore, Roy hosted 50 local, state and federal partners for the Department of Homeland Security’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Interdiction training. Both of these training events not only bolstered relationships with outside agencies, but also allowed outside agencies to better understand the mission and day-to-day operations of the 103rd.

Shortly after the birth of her third child, Roy returned to work. Her leadership described her performance after returning from maternity leave as “amazing,” and stated that Roy “epitomizes the Whole Airman Concept.”

Her colleagues have described her as “the most charitable” member of the 103d Security Forces Squadron, and perhaps in the 103d Airlift Wing, by far. Specifically, Sergeant Roy recently headed a highly successful March of Dimes team, raising over $5,000. She has raised over $62,000 for the March of Dimes since 2012. During one event in November, she raised $700 in just 12 hours in support of “World Premature Day.” Additionally, during the holidays she spearheaded an event that resulted in the collection and distribution of 15 bags of clothes and 20 complete meals to families with babies in the St. Francis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Roy’s contributions to the squadron, wing, and community cannot be overstated. Roy represents the best of what the Air National Guard has to offer. She is an outstanding Senior Non-commissioned Officer and Airman.