131st Bomb Wing Guardsman among winners of "Outstanding Airman of the Year" Award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Meiko Schill
  • 131st Bomb Wing Public Affairs
SAINT LOUIS, MO --  The Spirit of St. Louis Chapter 186 of the Air Force Association awarded Staff Sgt. Danielle Sronce, 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, with an "Outstanding Airman of the Year" Award during their Awards Banquet honoring local area Airmen at Glen Echo Country Club in Saint Louis, March 25.

Dr. Gary Young, Ph. D., a retired Chief Master Sgt. from the 131st Fighter Wing, and Spirit of Saint Louis Chapter President, presented Staff Sgt. Sronce with the award. Four other Airmen within the St. Louis area were nominated by their units for their accomplishments and achievements in the Air Force.

Dr. Young states that Airmen are honored with the award when they display "measurable and tangible accomplishments either military, educational or both." He cites that Sronce's award package stood out to him because it conveyed that she had "the exceptional qualities that we look for in leadership."

Senior Master Sgt. Angela Varvel, Sronce's supervisor, attributes this success to her, "foresight and ability to look and plan ahead when necessary."

Staff Sgt. Sronce, a Services Craftsman for the 131st, has done a remarkable amount of work for the unit and her community; establishing and maintaining the unit's relationship with vendor US Foods, ensuring the dining facilities at Jefferson Barracks maintain Air Force regulation standards, managing the accounting and planning for the Services flight in preparation for drill weekends, volunteering and recruiting for Operation Weed & Seed Drug Education For Youth, procuring proper flags for the Hometown Heroes, and organizing fun runs for the Unit. But Sronce is being recognized not only for these noteworthy day- to-day feats but also for her exemplary performance during her recent deployment to Southwest Asia in 2010.

Sronce, who enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard in 2004, volunteered for her recent deployment, citing she wanted the "experience of deploying to the Middle East." While deployed, Sronce volunteered to participate in Fallen Warrior Ceremonies given on the base, ensuring United States service members killed in action were given a dignified return home to loved ones

Outstanding Airmen Award recipients receive a certificate, a one year AFA membership and an AFA souvenir. Sronce attributes her success in the Guard to her initiative and her drive to succeed. Captain Chad Larson, 131st Bomb Wing's Force Sustainment Squadron commander asserts that, "She has the ability to take on any task whether at home station or deployed and do a great job. "