192nd Intelligence Airman wins silver medal recognizing him as technical expert in career field

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Meaghan E. M. Selki
  • Virginia Air National Guard Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Virginia --  A 192nd Intelligence Squadron Airman was recently announced as the winner of a silver medal in the 25th Air Force 2014 Major General Larson Awards competition.

Senior Airman Zachary D. Bombay competed against Airmen across the 25th Air Force, for the opportunity to win one of the top three spots in each of the 20 specialty codes within the Intelligence community.

More than 8,500 of the best-qualified technicians, from airman first class through technical sergeant in key ISR and mission-enabling jobs, tested first at the unit level.  Approximately 600 then continued on to test at the Numbered Air Force level, vying for a coveted Larson Award.

NAF-level testing is comprised of 75 to 100 knowledge and experience-based questions worth 200 points. Finally, each Larson finalist was awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal for showcasing their job specialty expertise.

"Senior Airman Bombay is the first 192nd IS Airman to earn a medal," said Lt. Col. David R. Lands, 192nd IS commander. "We have participated in this competition, previously known as Sensor Olympics, each year since our squadron was established in 2007."

The competition is conducted by the 25th Air Force to identify the top technicians of 20 career fields critical to mission success. According to the program AFI, AFISRAI 36-2801, the best-qualified individuals in key intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and mission-enabling Air Force specialty codes or reporting identifiers are selected to compete in the AFISRA-level Major General Larson Awards competition.

"I am proud to announce the medal winners for the 25th Air Force 2014 Major General Larson Awards - our most prestigious, mission-focused award program for the professional technicians executing ISR and cyber missions around the globe every day" said Maj. Gen. John N. T. Shanahan, 25th Air Force commander, in a message that announced all winners to 25th AF Airmen.  "The winners are truly the best of the best in their categories and exemplify the Air Force's core value of excellence in all we do."

The award program was started in 1979 by Maj. Gen. Doyle E. Larson, a former Electronic Security commander.

In addition, Bombay was recently recognized as the outstanding air reserve component ISR Airman of the year in the 2014 Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards Program for the 480th ISR Wing, and he was also named the outstanding Airman of the year for the 192nd Fighter Wing.