NASIC Airman named as prestigious AF-level award winner

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Hunsaker
  • National Air and Space Intelligence Center Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A Signals Analysis Squadron scientific and technical signals analyst received one of the U.S. Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards at the Air Force Association Awards ceremony Sept. 27 in National Harbor, Md.

Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Caulfield is the third airman from National Air and Space Intelligence Center in the last four years to win this award, with previous winners awarded in 2015 and 2017.

“Finding out I would be one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen was surreal,” said Caulfield, a member of the Center’s Global Activities Exploitation Group. “I am extremely humbled to be the representative for the Air Force District of Washington, and proud to be able to represent the amazing work done every day at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and Signals Analysis Squadron.”

A selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center selected Caulfield among 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The final 12 Airmen were chosen for their superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Caulfield’s leadership said they were glad to see her get the recognition she deserved.

“I am not at all surprised by Staff Sgt. Caulfield’s selection as one of the 12 OAY,” said Lt. Col David Van Pelt, the previous GXS commander at the time of Caulfield’s nomination. “Elizabeth is a talented professional who knows her job inside and out. She’s a humble and dependable leader who makes the already high performing Airmen who work with her even better. She’s incredibly deserving of this recognition and I am proud and happy for her and her family.”

Her daily activities in the squadron consist of analyzing and reporting scientific and technical data collected by national assets during worldwide reconnaissance missions as well as reporting electronic intelligence data for use in all-source assessments and specialized products.

Some of Caulfield’s accomplishments in the last year include leading a four-member team for 60 days during a deployment which culminated in the processing of 23 missions and identifying 235 signals, ultimately earning Caulfield the squadron’s junior technician of the quarter award in 2017. Additionally, she directed a crucial information technology install to two locations while facilitating a $100 thousand equipment transfer and set-up which resulted in increased deployed mission capabilities by 25 percent.

Outside of work, Caulfield earned Distinguished Graduate and Academic Achievement awards in her Airman Leadership school and completed four courses towards her Bachelor's degree with a 3.8 GPA, but these were just a few of her many accomplishments in and out of work.

“My mentors were instrumental in facilitating the work I’ve done by supporting me while still providing the autonomy I needed to strike out on my own,” said Caulfield. “They were always available to listen to me on good days and on bad, provided valuable advice, and I am extremely grateful to them for their guidance in both my professional and personal life.”