AFDW Airman among Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tabitha N. Haynes
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
Joint Base Andrews, Md. --  An Air Force District of Washington Senior Airman was recently named one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2012.

Senior Airman Matthew Butler, a weather forecaster with the 15th Operational Weather Squadron, an element under AFDW geographically located at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., was chosen for the annual award based on his superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements as an enlisted member of the Air Force.

"He is one of the most unselfish people I have ever met and he deserves this," said Butler's supervisor, Staff Sgt. Austin Doyle, 15th OWS. "He never has a negative attitude and always gives his best effort in everything he does. He sets high goals for himself, and nothing seems unattainable with him."

Some of Butler's accomplishments include securing humanitarian and combat operation missions within his career field that earned him the Air Force Weather Agency's Airman of the Year award. While deployed to Iraq, he accomplished 400 forecasts, enabling 5,500 flight hours and 40 combat convoys in support of Operation New Dawn.

Butler was also handpicked to lead a unit during a training mission that earned 16 Airmen outstanding performer recognition. In his unit, Butler taught CPR classes to ensure all physical training leaders were properly qualified in life saving skills.

Butler has made time to give back to his community as well.

Sixteen local Illinois households were provided furniture because Butler coordinated the proper transportation. He was singled out as the Congressional Advocate by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Board. Butler also led a team in a base fundraiser that contributed to the construction of two new water wells in India.

"He just received his bachelor's degree in mathematics with a 4.0 GPA," said Doyle. "He has a work ethic and dedication that I have never seen in my eight and a half years in the Air Force. I truly believe that there is nothing he can't accomplish in anything he does."

Butler was one of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year recipients picked from Airmen representing the major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Air Staff agencies. His accomplishment allows him to represent all Airmen as a member of the Air Force Enlisted Council for one year.

He can be recognized from the rest of the Airmen in his unit by the ribbon he will wear in his service dress. The Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with a bronze service star device will be anchored to his chest, along with the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

"To be considered so highly is truly humbling," said Butler. "I hope I can represent the Air Force for all Airmen doing great things."

Butler, along with the other 11 nominees, will be honored for their accomplishment in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15 - 20 by the Air Force Association. Additionally, the AFA will hold a banquet in honor of the recipients Sept. 17, according to AFA representative Lynette Cross.

The 15th OWS is one of the AFDW operational elements geographically separated from the headquarters command. AFDW exercises UCMJ authority over, and provides manpower, personnel, legal, chaplain, finance, logistics, and safety support for designated Air Force activities located within the selected Air Force element. This includes support for the 154 AFDW Air Force members stationed at Scott, AFB.

Air Force District of Washington is the single Air Force voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint solutions within the National Capital Region. AFDW organizes, trains, equips and provides forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment, homeland operations and ceremonial support within the NCR and worldwide. One of the U.S. Air Force's three direct reporting units, the command is located on Joint Base Andrews, Md.