Kadena Airmen earn PACAF awards Published April 26, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 909th Air Refueling Squadron, 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadrons, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 18th Operations Support Squadron were recently awarded different Pacific Air Force's Headquarters awards for their meritorious service. The PACAF 2012 Brig. Gen. Ross G. Hoyt Award was awarded to the 909th ARS "Rummy 21" crew, which is Capt. Jessica Gould, Capt. Skyler Smith, and Staff Sgt. Chad Holloway, for not only safely recovering three F-16 aircraft and crews but also for helping save the life of a pilot forced to eject into freezing waters. The PACAF 2012 Jolly Green Association Rescue Mission of the Year Award was awarded to the 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadrons for being the very best forces dedicated to personnel recovery. The members of the mission included: Capt. Michael Kingry, 33rd RQS Capt. Matthew Carlisle, 31st RQS Capt. John Larson, 33rd RQS Capt. Gavin Johnson, 33rd RQS 1st Lt. Matthew Pfarr, 33rd RQS Tech. Sgt. Scott Lagerveld, 33rd RQS Senior Airman Robert Wells, 33rd RQS The PACAF Total Force First Sergeant of the Year Award was awarded to Master Sgt. Jason Anderson, 18th AMXS. Other PACAF 2012 Kadena award winners included: Outstanding NCO Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Specialist: Tech. Sgt. William Lambert, 18th OSS Outstanding Senior NCO Pararescueman: Master Sgt. Joshua Smith, 31st RQS Outstanding NCO Pararescueman: Staff Sgt. David Schumacher, 31st RQS Outstanding Airman Pararescueman: Senior Airman Brian Ayres, 31st RQS Outstanding Company Grade Officer Combat Rescue Officer: Capt. Matthew Carlisle, 31st RQS