315th chief among the best in AFRC Published April 27, 2006 Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, GA. -- A traditional reservist assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing represented 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., as their Outstanding Airman of the Year, Senior noncommissioned officer category, at Air Force Reserve Command’s annual banquet April 20, at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB,Ga. Chief Master Sgt. Michael Schmiege, assigned to the wing’s 315th Civil Engineer Squadron, joined other AFRC Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominees for a week with Command Chief Master Sgt. Jackson Winsett, AFRC’s top noncommissioned officer. “These nominees have the awesome responsibility of representing the best of our enlisted force from all of our command’s agencies,” said Chief Winsett. “We’ve honored them this week to make them aware of how their accomplishments have positively impacted the Air Force Reserve. They are setting the example.” Chief Schmiege, recipient of the Bronze Star, is an explosive ordnance disposal flight superintendent who deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, last year. Here he led the largest EOD team in Iraq, encompassing six bases. He was directly responsible for saving 13 soldiers’ lives by discovering and defeating an improvised explosive device at a convoy checkpoint. “My greatest accomplishment was deploying with 32 people, accomplishing the mission and seeing them all return safely home,” said Chief Schmiege. “They are the finest people on the planet. Many, many people are alive and walking around as a result of their work. You’ve got to want to do what’s right in order to go into combat every day and encounter enemy devices and direct attacks.” Chief Schmiege has been with the Reserve for 11 years. Previously he served eight years in active duty in the security forces career field. The Chief comes from a long line of those who have served their country. “I’ve lived in the shadows of some great people. Although I was not expected to join the military it was something I needed to do.”