EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force Test Center honored its top performers during the 2024 Annual Awards Ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, Feb. 25, 2025, recognizing the dedication and achievements of enlisted, officer, and civilian personnel. The event was held in-person as well as virtually and brought together AFTC leadership and peers to celebrate the contributions of those who help drive the Air Force’s test and evaluation mission forward.
Col. Maryann Karlen, AFTC deputy commander, opened the ceremony.
“Your accomplishments this past year have been nothing short of extraordinary,” she said. “Each one of you embodies the spirit of innovation and determination that defines the Air Force Test Center. You all are trailblazers, problem solvers and push the boundaries of what is possible in air and space.”
1st Lt. Danielle Rose, AFTC Public Affairs deputy director, narrated the ceremony and emphasized the critical role of this year’s nominees in shaping the success of the center.
“Each of these individuals has demonstrated excellence, innovation, and commitment to our mission,” Rose said. “Their efforts directly contribute to advancing the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force.”
The following individuals were recognized for their outstanding achievements:
Enlisted Award Winners
- Airman of the Year: Airman 1st Class Abigail Gonzalez
- As a contract specialist in the Acquisition Management Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Gonzalez managed contracts worth $11 million, ensuring critical support for multiple commands and units.
- Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. David Dos Santos
- Dos Santos led 140 contracting professionals and oversaw an $11.5 billion contracts portfolio, supporting over 2,000 actions annually.
- Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Jose Escobosa
- Escobosa, AFTC’s center paralegal manager, provided legal expertise across 34 geographically separated units, ensuring operational readiness.
Officer Award Winners
- Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Matthew Loy
- As Munitions Division Chief at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Loy oversaw a classified stockpile worth $330 million and managed operations spanning 102,000 miles annually.
- Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Julian Butler
- Butler, AFTC chief of military justice, provided legal oversight on courts-martial and criminal investigations across the AFTC enterprise.
Civilian Award Winners
- Civilian of the Year (Category I): Hannah Wright
- Wright, an executive administrative assistant and procurement technician, played a key role in managing a $9.3 billion contracts portfolio supporting multiple military branches.
- Civilian of the Year (Category II): Kristin “Brooke” Creak
- A financial management specialist, Creak oversaw a $13 million budget and served as the government purchase card and Defense Travel System financial focal point for AFTC headquarters.
- Civilian of the Year (Category III): Rebecca Gardner
- Gardner, Division Chief of Test Range and Specialized Contracting, managed a $9.1 billion contracting portfolio supporting test missions at Arnold Engineering Development Complex.
Recognizing Service Milestones
AFTC also honored two employees for their decades of service:
- Jonathan Stafford was recognized for 20 years of service.
- John Volk was honored for 40 years of service.
Karlen closed the ceremony by commending the winners and thanking all nominees for their contributions.
“To our exceptional Airmen and civilian awardees, we celebrate you and congratulations,” she said. “You represent the very best of the Air Force Test Center, embodying the pinnacle of innovation, selflessness and an unwavering dedication. And to our nominees, your contributions do not and have not gone unnoticed.”
Award recipients will receive their official mementos in the coming weeks. AFTC Public Affairs will continue to highlight the winners on social media.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who plays a role in AFTC’s mission success!