LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --
Airman 1st Class Gabriel Juenk, Airman 1st Class Freda Quijas, Staff Sgt. Robert Crick, and Tech. Sgt. James Odom-Davidson were selected as Combat Airlifters of the Month for February 2026.
Rank and name: Airman 1st Class Gabriel Junek
Unit: 61st Airlift Squadron
Official Duty title: C-130J loadmaster
Hometown: San Marcos, TX
Time in service: 1.5 years
Time at Little Rock: 1 year
Goals: Earn a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, become an Advanced Instructor Course Graduate Loadmaster
Junek immediately distinguished himself through decisive action during a CAT-5 hurricane evacuation, executing complex airlift operations that safely relocated over 2,000 multinational personnel and 26,000 pounds of cargo. His calm execution under pressure ensured uninterrupted SOUTHCOM operations and directly contributed to mission continuity across the area of responsibility, earning formal recognition from the Air Mobility Division Chief and reinforcing the Air Force’s rapid global response capability.
Additionally, he has proven himself a mission-ready force multiplier, flying POTUS-directed C-130J missions in support of United States Southern Command and United States Special Operations Command objectives. Over a demanding 40-day period, he helped deliver more than 115,000 pounds of critical equipment, enabling partnered operations. His reliability, endurance, and attention to detail exemplify the standards expected of the next generation of combat aircrew.
Finally, he routinely stepped beyond his core duties to close manning and logistics gaps, leading four Airmen in pallet buildup operations that prepared 15,000 pounds of cargo for airlift. He also filed a critical loadmaster shortfall by supporting Weapons Instructor Course sorties with the 29th Weapons Squadron, contributing to advanced airdrop tactics, techniques and procedure development and the training of 39 aircrew. His commitment to excellence directly enhanced unit readiness and operational leadership capacity.
Rank and name: Tech. Sgt. James Odom-Davidson
Unit: 189th Operation Support Squadron
Official Duty title: Aviation resource management
Hometown: Salem, OR
Time in service: 18 years 4 month
Time at Little Rock: 4 years
Goals: Start a small business and grow a bigger garden
Odom-Davidson expertly managed 3.4K flying hours with 100% accuracy and zero audit findings, directly supporting 1,345K successful sorties and graduating 156K mission-ready C-130H aircrew. Additionally, he spearheaded a complete overhaul of his section’s Job Safety Training Outline, boosting productivity and accountability for a 10-person team. Finally, he seamlessly integrated, crucial Mission Design Series conversion, safeguarding 100% operational readiness and mission continuity.
Rank and name: Staff Sgt. Robert Crick
Unit: 19th Security Forces Squadron
Official Duty title: Police Services
Hometown: Hopkinsville, KY
Time in service: 13 years
Time at Little Rock: 4 years
Goals: Be a great father and husband; be a First Sergeant
Crick drove administrative functions for four flights consisting of 93 Defenders and three sections streamlining criminal reporting procedures by correcting 157 incident reports and closing 123 criminal cases eliminating a two-year backlog.
Additionally, he expertly headed two-unit events where he rallied 16 volunteers to recognize 36 promotes and eight quarterly award winners.
Finally, he oversaw the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act Program and the Wing Customs Program where he developed a credentialed custodian database, facilitated 120 hours of training and rectified 28 issuances.
Rank and name: Airman 1st Class Freda Quijas
Unit: 19th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
Official Duty title: Public health and deployment health technician
Hometown: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Time in service: 9 months
Time at Little Rock: 7 months
Goals: Complete CDCs with a 90+ score, finish upgrade training and become a Dental Hygienist
Quijas took on duties for the new Senior Noncomissioned Officer by developing on-call schedules, completed 8 MAJCOM and medical group taskers and coordinated 5 events to enhance teamwork.
Additionally, with a 3-person team she led a process improvement by removing 8 steps in the deployment processing time, cutting 98 hours in administrative time for the flight and patients.
Finally, she dual hatted in deployments and occupational health sections, trained 2 peers, performed and scheduled 58 tests, soaring LRAFB compliance rate of 93%, highest in 6 months & 3% above standard.