From left, Sailor of the Year finalist LS1 (SW) Amber Heiser of Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20; 2014 SOY award winner LS1 (AW/SW) Jose Camposflores of VX-30; NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Dunaway; and SOY finalist YN1 (SW) Kyle Parker from NAVAIR headquarters. NAVAIR recognized all three Sailors during a ceremony Jan. 29 at the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building. (U.S. Navy photo)
Patuxent River, MD — The finalists for the 2014 NAVAIR Sailor of the Year embodied competence, courage and compassion. NAVAIR recognized them Jan. 29 during a ceremony at Pax River in the atrium of the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building.
“I can assure you the selection process is never easy to get to this point,” said Navy Career Counselor Master Chief Mike Sekeet, who opened the ceremony, “and it is even more difficult as today’s winner will compete at the next level for Vice Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year.”
“The three Sailors we are recognizing here today are the very best of the best within NAVAIR,” Sekeet said, before introducing: LS1 (SW) Amber Heiser from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division; LS1 (AW/SW) Jose Camposflores from VX-30 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division; and YN1 (SW) Kyle Parker from NAVAIR headquarters.
Vice Adm. David Dunaway, NAVAIR commander, commended each of the finalists before announcing the winner.
“You wouldn’t be sitting where you are today if you weren’t good at what you do,” Dunaway said. “You each possess the proven technical skills, the courage to do the right thing and compassion for your people, which make you all great leaders. Thank you for serving with such distinction.”
Dunaway went on to announce Camposflores as the 2014 NAVAIR Sailor of the Year.
“This is unbelievable,” Camposflores said, and thanked his family, friends and fellow Sailors for their guidance over the years.
A native of San Salvador, El Salvador, Camposflores entered the U.S. Navy in 1999 after attending basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois. He currently serves as the airborne threat simulation (ATS) detachment leading petty officer for VX-30 in Point Mugu, California.
In addition to managing the maintenance, deployment and operation of 48 ATS pods, Camposflores is a departmental career counselor and safety representative.
“[He] is a highly adaptive, motivated and consummate professional, and leader in the ATS department,” wrote Cmdr. Thomas Santomauro, VX-30 commanding officer. “His exhaustive work ethic remains an example for all personnel assigned.”
“I’m very shaken over receiving this honor of recognition,” Camposflores said. “I hope to represent NAVAIR to the best of my ability.”
Heiser and Parker both received Navy/Marine Corps achievement medals for their accomplishments.
“One final note to all of our Sailors of the Year,” Sekeet said, “you have distinguished yourselves not only today, but before all of your shipmates in your command and the Navy. We have the utmost confidence you will continue to serve our Navy and our country exemplifying our Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment well into the future.”