Wolf Pack member named one of the 12 OAY

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Divine Cox
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea-- --  Becoming one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year takes superior leadership, outstanding job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.

Senior Master Sgt. Harold Terrance, 8th Communications Squadron operations flight chief, from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, was recently named one of the Air Force's 12 OAY.

"I am honored and extremely proud," said Terrance. "This is my first time winning this prestigious award, and I thank my family, friends and unit."

Once an Airman is nominated by their wing leadership, he or she will go on to compete against Airmen in their specific major command. After winning at the MAJCOM level, the Airman goes on to compete at the Air Force level, competing with other Airmen who have also won at their MAJCOM level.

Terrance, a native of New Roads, La., is no stranger to recognition for his hard work. He was named the 2014 Pacific Air Force Senior NCO of the Year, Air Force Outstanding Cyber Operations SNCO of the Year, PACAF Network Warfare/Information Operations SNCO of the Year, and won the PACAF Theodore Von Karman Award (For National Defense through Science and Engineering) and was the Armed Forces Enlisted Information Technology Leadership Award Winner.

Throughout the year, under Sgt. Terrance leadership and guidance, he also helped his team earn the Air Force Best Large Communications Squadron of the Year and the Fifth Air Force General Edwin W. Rawlings Information Dominance Team of the Year.

Terrance surpassed the 35 nominees who represented their respective MAJCOM, to be named one of the 12 OAY winners for 2015.

SMSgt Terrance originally had plans to attend college, but the desire to travel grew during his senior year in high school.

"I've been in the Air Force for over 21 years," said Terrance. "I've traveled to a lot of different places and seen a lot of different things in my career; both good and bad."
Being in the military is not an easy task and you will face some challenges along the way.

"One challenge I find the hardest to deal with is being away from family," said Terrance. "Family is the most important thing to me, and to overcome that challenge, I try to stay in regular contact with them, remain positive and keep my faith."

Terrance was officially announced a 12 OAY winner on July 25.

I didn't get here by myself," said Terrance. "I thank everyone who had a hand in me winning this award. I am forever thankful for the great leadership and coworkers who all pushed me to strive for excellence every day."

Air Force Association officials will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year in September during the Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington.