Master Sgt. H. Mylo Gibson II, 51st Combat Communications Squadron first sergeant, holds a ladder while Staff Sgt. Michael Joyner and Airman 1st Class Charles Haas, both 51st Combat Communications Squadron Radio Frequency transmission systems maintainers, inspect a ground multiband terminal. Gibson was selected as the Air Force’s 2012 First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Talenti)
Master Sgt. H. Mylo Gibson II, 51st Combat Communications Squadron first sergeant, helps Senior Airmen Michael Rueda and Jerome Wellington, both 51st Combat Communications Squadron cyber transport technicians, build a pallet. Gibson was selected as the Air Force’s 2012 First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Talenti)
Master Sgt. H. Mylo Gibson II, 51st Combat Communications Squadron first sergeant, helps a member of his squadron prepare the earth for an equipment grounding configuration. Gibson was selected as the Air Force’s 2012 First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Talenti)
by Robert Talenti
689th Combat Communications Wing Public Affairs
6/26/2012 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Master Sgt. H. Mylo Gibson II, 51st Combat Communications Squadron first sergeant, was named the Air Force First Sergeant of the Year during a ceremony June 19.
Gibson has more than 20 years in the Air Force and he spent the last two as a first sergeant. Air Force first sergeants are the liaison between members of a squadron and its commander. They also act as a jack-of-all-trades for any member of a unit in need to assistance.
"I am both honored and humbled by this award", said Gibson "It is a tremendous responsibility to be an Air Force first sergeant, one that I take very seriously. The sheer job satisfaction that comes with helping an Airman in distress or helping them get their careers back on track is very hard to quantify, but I see it in the faces of our Airmen on a daily basis. I am also thrilled to have the opportunity to represent first sergeant's across the Air Force."
Gibson said there were many people along the way who helped him become a first sergeant.
"Chief Master Sgt. Ron Draper was a driving force in my desire to be a first sergeant," he said. "He saw qualities in me that reflected the wear of the diamond Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Wise, a former first sergeant, sharpened my skills as a first sergeant."
The 51st CBCS commander praised his first shirt for always going above and beyond what was asked for him in very demanding situations.
"I am very proud of Master Sergeant Gibson," said Maj. Eric Schmidt, 51st CBCS commander. "No one cares more about the troops than Mylo does. I see it every day in the way he interacts with them. He takes great pride in everything he does and I could not be prouder to have him as our first sergeant. He is our 'shiny penny.'"
One Airman called Gibson a source of inspiration.
"Sergeant Gibson is a great shirt," said Senior Airman John Adams, a 51st CBCS radio frequency transmissions systems technician. "He has high intensity and high impact to always help his Airmen. He truly inspires me to do the same for others."
Gibson said the recognition is great, but his focus remains on his people - in part because of the support of his wife.
"I became a first sergeant to take care of people and to continue a motto taken from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 'Manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind,'" said Gibson. "My wife Fenitra inspires me to take care of people and said the job is my calling."
