D-M Airman receives 2009 Shine Award

by Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/4/2011 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Capt. Ethan Sabin, a fighter pilot from the 354th Fighter Squadron, received the 2009 Lt. Col. Anthony Shine Fighter Pilot Award in ceremony in the 355th Fighter Wing Headquarters building here Feb. 1.

The Shine Award is given annually to a pilot who is exceptional at flying and also heavily involved with the community.

In 1972, Colonel Shine, an A-7 pilot, disappeared above the border of North Vietnam and Laos, and was missing in action for 24 years. In 1996, the remains of the colonel were found and the Shine family was able to have a proper military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Thirty years ago, my mother established the Shine award to bring attention to the POW/MIA issue and to honor my father's excellence in flying and his commitment to community service," said Colleen Shine, daughter of Colonel Shine.

Captain Sabin was recognized because of the devotion to working with Habitat for Humanity and his organization of massive blanket and clothing drives, both in the United States and in Afghanistan.

Col. John Cherrey, 355th FW commander, presented the prestigious award to Captain Sabin.

"This truly is a prestigious award and I'm very humbled and grateful to receive it," Captain Sabin said. "I think the honor that goes along with this award is shared amongst fighter pilots and great Americans Air Force-wide, and I'm proud to be a part of this fabled history."

The award ceremony was certainly very special as two previous Shine Award winners were in attendance to meet and congratulate Captain Sabin, a first in the history of the award.

Robin Stoddard, a distributed mission operation Site manager, garnered the award in 1985. "I received the award 25 years ago, and it's great to see the Air Force carry on this legacy of heroes both in the air and on the ground" Mr. Stoddard said. "Captain Sabin is very well-deserving."

Retired Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh of the Maryland Air National Guard received the award in 1991. "It's a tremendous opportunity to present the award to Captain Sabin. I was able to see first-hand what he does as an Airman and not only as a pilot but also in what he did working for the Afghan kids and for the different community efforts while in Kandahar," General Walsh said. "It has been a great honor."

Ms. Shine continues to raise awareness of those who are POWs or MIA. "There are still 1,702 Americans unaccounted for from Vietnam," she said. "Not just statistics, but husbands, fathers, brothers and sons who are missed and loved and remembered. There are now over 600 U.S. personnel both military and civilian, working full time to account for America's POW/MIAs not only from Vietnam, but also World War II and Korea."

For more information, visit the National League of American POW/MIA website at www.powmialeague.org. The organization's Combined Federal Campaign number is 10218.



DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - Col. John Cherrey, 355th Fighter Wing commander, presents Capt. Ethan Sabin, a fighter pilot from the 354th Fighter Squadron, the 2009 Anthony Shine Award at the 355th FW headquarters building here Feb. 1. The Shine Award is given annually to a pilot who is exceptional at flying and also heavily involved with the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res









DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - Capt. Ethan Sabin, a fighter pilot from the 354th Fighter Squadron, stands in front of an A-7 fighter jet with retired Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh of the Maryland Air National Guard, and Robin Stoddard, a Distributed Mission Operation Site Manager, here Feb. 1. General Walsh and Mr. Stoddard are previous recipients of the prestigious award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res









DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - Capt. Ethan Sabin, a fighter pilot from the 354th Fighter Squadron, holds an honorary knife with retired Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh of the Maryland Air National Guard, Robin Stoddard, a Distributed Mission Operation Site Manager, and Colleen Shine, daughter of Col. Shine, here Feb. 1. The knife is presented alongside of the Shine Award to pay homage to Colonel Shine, who was an avid collector. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res

Please note: This A-10 is preserved as a Gate Guard. Crew inscription: Plt Capt Patrick "Oly" Olson, DCC TSgt Jacob Smith, ADCC SrA Amon Cook

Source


Background info about Capt. Ethan Sabin:

Capt. Ethan E. Sabin is an U.S. Air Force Weapons School Class 10-A graduate of 2010. He was part of the 66th WPS (A-10) at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Background info about Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine:
Anthony Cameron Shine, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force
D-M pilot named 2006 Shine Award winner