CNAF Announces Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year

Feb. 17, 2012 PRESS RELEASE #:2012-004

Naval Air Force, Pacific Names 2011 Sailors of the Year

SAN DIEGO – Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced its 2011 Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year during a ceremony Thursday, Feb. 16, at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Personnel Specialist 1st Class (AW/SW) Adao Jose B. Cunha, a native of Tulare, Calif. assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 77, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, earned Sea Sailor of the Year, and Aviation Electrician’s Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Nickolas M. Dixon, , a native of League City, Texas, assigned to Fleet Readiness Center South West Detachment Forth Worth, earned Shore Sailor of the Year.

According to Sea Sailor of the Year Cuhna, all the hard work pays off, no matter how long it takes for anyone to notice.

“I’m proud to be a Sailor,” said Cuhna. “I feel blessed, excited and surprised. I’m on cloud nine right now. This is really nice, to be able to get to this level to represent my squadron, my family and now the aviation community.”

Shore Sailor of the Year Dixon noted that his family and the junior personnel that work for him inspire him to perform to make a difference in their lives.

“It’s a true honor to be standing here in this position and it means a lot, for a command to come together and show recognition for hard work,” said Dixon. “To be part of something much bigger than myself has always been my dream, but none of this would be possible without the support of my wife, a rock solid chain of command and great peers.”

While announcing this year’s winners, Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, Commander, Naval Air Forces, said that these Sailors represent not just how good the Navy is today, but what the Navy is going to look like in the future.

“Each of these Sailors has a unique story,” said Myers. “Each has faced challenges, and they’ve transferred obstacles into opportunities. They set goals for themselves and relentlessly pursued them no matter how hard or long it took. All of them have demonstrated the determination it takes to be the best.”

To Force Master Chief Jim DeLozier, all of the finalists are winners, saying that he would be honored to serve with them any day.

“We had eight diverse aviators compete this year, from all different communities across naval aviation,” said DeLozier. “As I move on in my career it’s invigorating to be around such quality Sailors. I know our Navy is in great hands in the future.”

Cunha and Dixon will continue their journey to Hawaii, where they will compete for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year title.

After arriving in San Diego Feb. 12, participants completed their last physical requirements and took part in an extensive interview process. The finalists and their spouses joined their counterparts from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Naval Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet at various social events, including luncheons, a visit with the area Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and the USS Midway Museum.

The other Sea and Shore SOY finalists included:

Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 1st Class (NAC/AW) David M. Clark, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 64, Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class (AW) Juan F. Rosas, Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/AW/EXW) Kevin E. Fahlund, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AW) Tashaca S. Lowe, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, Naval Aircrewman Operator 1st Class (NAC/AW/SW) Michael G. Boldizsar, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 2, Navy Counselor 1st Class (AW/SW) Dania D. Keys, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23.

-CNAF-