Liberty Airman recognized for excellence

  • Published
  • By Capt. Alysia Harvey
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  A Liberty Airman from Monroe, La., who's dedicated nearly 24 years of service between the Army and Air Force was recently recognized for excellence.
Senior Master Sgt. Steven Higgins, 48th Communications Squadron but currently 48th Fighter Wing Inspections, Readiness and Exercises Superintendent, was selected as United States Air Forces in Europe's Senior NCO of the Year and now goes on to compete for the Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Additionally, he was singled out among more than 370 of his peers, earning both the Commandant's Award and the Distinguished Graduate Award at the senior NCO academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in February.

Having lined his mantle with so many awards over the years, when asked which accolade he is most proud of, he responded not with a decoration or medal title, but the titles he's earned from the Airmen he leads.

"I am most proud of the label of leader/mentor I have been given by many of the young men and women in today's Air Force," said Sergeant Higgins. "It shows they trust me to assist them in making decisions that are beneficial to both their careers and the mission of the U.S. Air Force."

He went on to explain that he understands a very simple rule: "people accomplish the mission".

"Today, that mission is accomplished primarily by young men and women who are still searching for their Air Force identity and who are trying to understand the difference between succeeding and excelling," Sergeant Higgins expounded. "The young men and women in our Air Force have allowed me to share my experiences in a way which will hopefully motivate them to exceed my accomplishments. The title of leader/mentor is my proudest Air Force accolade."

Sergeant Higgins is often asked the secret to winning so many awards.

"Awards come with a willingness to excel and not just being satisfied with succeeding," he said. "In order for one to excel he or she must first understand that no one gets recognized at any level on their own. They must acknowledge, respect and value the team. The people who work with you - subordinates, peers and supervisors - are the ones who put you in the position to excel and win awards."

Chief Master Sgt. James Lucas, 48th Fighter Wing Command Chief, chimed in with a similar sentiment, but not before giving Sergeant Higgins some praise.

"The Liberty Wing is extremely proud of Sergeant Higgins and his contributions to our Air Force both at home station and downrange," said Chief Lucas. "His individual accomplishments and performance are truly outstanding in every sense of the word and very deserving of this level of recognition."
The chief went on to say that although Sergeant Higgins' personal achievements are being recognized, it should be noted that no one climbs to this level alone.
"It takes a team to execute the Air Force mission," he said. "And through his achievement, all of our total team efforts are validated."
Sergeant Higgins is humbled by the praise he's received and added that it's also important to remember those serving in deployed locations around the world.

"It is an honor to be recognized at any level," said Sergeant Higgins. "However, it is even more important to recognize and remember there are outstanding young men and women doing outstanding things in our military every day in far less glamorous locations."

Sergeant Higgins, who's deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STROM and IRAQI FREEDOM , said regardless of the awards one receives or the positions one fills in the military, leaving a lasting mark for one's successors should be the goal.

"Our time in the Air Force is finite," he said. "Because we are not sure of how long we will serve, we must make sure that we are willing to lead regardless of the level at which we serve. As we progress in our careers, we must always be willing to reflect on where we came from thereby always striving to make it better for those who will follow."