NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Naval Air Station Patuxent River recognized its top-performing Sailors and civilians for 2025, honoring exceptional enlisted personnel, junior Sailors, and federal civil servants who excelled in leadership, technical expertise, and mission support at the Southern Maryland installation central to naval aviation.
The announcement, released in late January 2026, highlighted individuals and one division selected through the command’s annual awards process. Capt. Mark Zematis, commanding officer of NAS Patuxent River, praised the honorees for standing out among the station’s workforce. “Every day our ‘Pax Pros’ complete the necessary missions to make our air station the center for excellence in naval aviation we know it to be,” Zematis stated. “And among those hard-chargers, the Sailors and civilians chosen for this recognition stand out as the best of the best. Their hard work and dedication earned them these accolades, and I am extremely proud to serve alongside them.”
The Sailor of the Year award went to NC1 (SW/AW/SCW/NAC) Frederick Salazar, serving as Command Career Counselor. Salazar also held the additional role of Naval District Washington Regional Career Counselor, overseeing career development for seven commands and more than 1,000 Sailors. He conducted four Lead and Assist visits, five Command Information Program Reviews, and led seven regional monthly training sessions, earning recognition as the region’s top expert in career guidance. His leadership produced a “COMPLIANT” rating in the annual CIPR, managed 200 CPPA transactions, processed over 140 correspondence items, handled 50 awards, and completed 59 evaluations while resolving bonus issues that liquidated $15,000 in funds. AnnaBelle Sanders, Installation Administrative Officer, noted, “NC1 has been preeminent serving in the dual role as the Naval District Washington Regional Career Counselor amidst a gapped Senior Chief billet while maintaining Command Career Counselor duties for NAS Patuxent River.”
Junior Sailor of the Year honors went to MA2 (SW/AW) Zachary Johnson, Command Physical Security Specialist. Johnson managed electronic security systems, keys, locks across three fence lines, 25,000 access permissions, 30 SCIF/SAP spaces, 120 secret storage areas, and 54 arms, ammunition, and explosive safes. As watch commander, he supervised 19 Naval Security Forces Sailors, Department of Navy civilians, and 20 Auxiliary Force Security personnel protecting 65 tenant commands, 25,000 visitors, 800 buildings, and $3.6 billion in NAVAIR assets. Lt. j.g. Paul Wilson, Security Officer, stated, “Petty Officer Johnson’s outstanding leadership, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication to mission success and Sailor development have had a profound impact on the safety, security, and operational readiness of Naval Air Station Patuxent River.”
Bluejacket of the Year was AO3 (AW/SW) Nicole Quintana, Command Pay and Personnel Clerk. Quintana maintained records for over 250 service members, processing travel claims, pay entitlements, deductions, and allotments while interpreting pay publications and managing enlisted distribution reports. She filled a gapped admin role, completed 26 CPPA prerequisite courses in three months, executed 72 PERS/PAY transactions in FY25, and reduced transaction turnaround time by 75 percent through coaching. Sanders described her as “the type of enterprising Sailor that NAS PAX benefits from because she is a catalyst for processing improvement wherever she sets her focus.”
Senior Civilian of the Year recognition went to Russel Bauer, Installation Training Officer. Bauer led eight major integrated exercises, including HURREX/CITADEL GALE 2026, where he created 86 scenario injects—45 percent of Naval District Washington’s and 20 percent of U.S. Fleet Forces Command’s Master Scenario Events List. He supported a nuclear emergency Point of Distribution exercise distributing potassium iodide to 420 households and coordinated multi-agency drills involving Search and Rescue, Fire, Emergency Services, TACMO VQ-4, and NSA South Potomac.
Junior Civilian of the Year was Daniel Garner, Airfield Services Division Subject Matter Expert and Quality Assurance Supervisor. Garner developed QA checklist cards, led replacement of 68 wire supports, four cross deck pendants, one tape drum assembly, three torque converter assemblies, and oversaw overhaul of emergency arresting gear engine number one with a six-person team. He aided three aircraft emergency landings, ensuring rapid return to mission-ready status.
Supervisor of the Year went to Stephanie Harris, Navy Housing Director. Harris oversees 740 homes and barracks for 249 residents through Liberty Military Housing partnership, leading six team members in applications, maintenance, repairs, and inspections. Her advocacy earned top customer satisfaction scores and the CNIC Platinum Award for barracks two years running. Her nomination highlighted a “willingness to go out of her way to make things better for the residents is exceptional.”
Ground Electronics Maintenance Division earned Group of the Year for achieving 100 percent mission capability and 99.7 percent operational availability through 10,200 man-hours of maintenance, plus critical modernization projects enhancing Air Traffic Control.
These recognitions underscore the high standards at NAS Patuxent River, a key hub for test and evaluation in Southern Maryland’s defense community. The awards align with Navy-wide programs emphasizing performance from E-1 to E-6 enlisted ranks and civilian equivalents.