CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
An Airman from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron received the Air Mobility Command Airman of the Year award at a ceremony April 5 at Scott AFB, Ill.
Staff Sgt. Richard Rose was honored by more than 200 people from AMC bases at the ceremony and will now represent AMC at the Air Force-level competition. He was chosen as Airman of the Year out of approximately 168,500 other Airmen.
"Sergeant Rose leads in numerous ways; no one can beat him for having a positive outlook," said Lt. Col. Catherine Walter, commander of 1 CTCS. "He pumps up himself and those around him, making the workday fun."
In 2006, Sergeant Rose deployed to the Central Command Area of Responsibility from May to September to document the 2nd Battalion 506 Infantry of the 101 Airborne Division. During the deployment he captured more than 4,000 photos and 8 hours of video. He also supported more than 30 high profile and dangerous air assault missions to capture or kill anti-Iraqi Forces.
His imagery from the deployment was disseminated throughout the command and the Department of Defense which made it to several newspapers in the U.S and used on more than 30 websites and broadcast media outlets throughout the world.
In January, Sergeant Rose was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service. He was credited with helping save the lives of 56 troops during Operations Vital Strike, when an explosive ordinance disposal team was ambushed by enemy forces. Dropping his camera, Sergeant Rose joined the firefight to allow EOD to reach a protected area.
"I did what any person would have done," he said. "I put down my camera and defended myself as well as defended the guys that were with me."
Sergeant Rose is one of the youngest combat photographers in his squadron but does not take for granted the people who surround him.
"I'm in the best situation I could be in as far as my career because I'm learning from the best photographers in the military," he said.
However, Colonel Walter said he offers much assistance in return to new Airmen.
"He is free with support and advice to new personnel and to those who are about to deploy to Iraq for the first time," said Colonel Walter. "He is an all-around outstanding individual. I am proud to have him as a member of this unit."