RAF LAKENHEATH, England — An airman now stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England, has been named one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for his efforts at his previous duty station.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Tuck, a contracting specialist with the 48th Contracting Squadron, received the honor for his work at Tyndall AFB, Fla., during the 2002 calendar year. The native of Oxford, N.C., was told of his recognition in a squadron meeting on June 27.

Tuck, who arrived in England in February, has spent his four years in the Air Force as a contracting specialist. During 2002, he was solely responsible for 40 contracts valued at more than $100 million and saved the government nearly $5 million through negotiation and identification of discrepancies.

Although he enjoys the contracting field, Tuck said he would like to become an instructor at the Airman Leadership School.

“I had a great ALS instructor and the whole experience was very rewarding,” he said. “I’d like to see the other side of it someday.”

He graduated from the leadership school in November and was recipient of the John L. Levitow Award, the highest honor at the school.

He maintains a 3.2 grade point average in his pursuit of a Community College of the Air Force degree in contracts management, completing 18 hours of credit while deployed for 90 days in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His goal is a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He is married to Billie and is the father of 21-month-old Grayson.

Tuck also donated more than 500 hours of community service while in Florida and was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

He will be formally recognized for his achievements at the annual Air Force Association convention in Washington, D.C., in September.

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