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AFSOUTH Airman recognized as ACC Outstanding Airman of the Year

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kelly Ogden
  • 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. --  An Air Forces Southern Airman from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., was recognized as one of the Air Combat Command Airmen of the Year.

Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Junglas, a 612th Air Communications Squadron flight chief, was announced by ACC as one of the award winner's during a spring leadership conference at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., March 26.

"Senior Master Sgt. Junglas came to us last fall after his long deployment, and he was still full of energy and drive," said Col. Richard Palmieri, 612th ACOMS commander. "He is the kind of leader who absolutely focuses on mission and compliance. I see him every day standing behind his Airmen, fostering development, leadership, and balance. He is constantly building the kind of senior non-commissioned and non-commissioned officers that our Air Force needs."

Junglas was born in Colorado Springs, Colo. in 1976. He graduated from Whitesboro High School in 1995 and enlisted as an Instrumentation and Telemetry technician. His career has encompassed research and development, combat communications, air control, weapon systems sustainment, and Major Command maintenance policy management.

Sergeant Junglas has deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His recent awards include Headquarters, Air Force Space Command A4/7 SNCO of the Year for 2010, 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group SNCO of the Month, Kabul International Airport's SNCO of the Month, Headquarters, 12th Air Force SNCO of the 4th Quarter for 2012, and 12th Air Force's Outstanding Professional of the Year for 2012.

He has held Top 3 positions including president and vice president, and currently serves as the Headquarters, 12th Air Force Top 3, Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Sergeant Junglas completed his Community College of the Air Force degree in Electronic Systems Technology, earned a Bachelors of Science in psychology, and has currently completed 11 classes toward a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.

He is married to Chief Master Sgt. Annette Junglas and they have two children, Emilee and Mattie Mae.