2nd Air Force honors Keesler NCOs Published March 23, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISS. -- Two Keesler noncommissioned officers have been recognized in 2nd Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year and First Sergeant awards for 2008. Tech. Sgt. Jill Higgins, 81st Dental Squadron, is 2nd Air Force's NCO of the year. Sergeant Higgins is the Air Force's Outstanding Dental NCO for 2008 and was instrumental in her unit earning Air Education and Training Command's top large dental clinic of the year honors. She managed a $3 million National Institutes of Health project and published an article in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Sergeant Higgins earned the academic achievement award and distinguished graduate recognition in her class at Keesler's Mathies NCO Aca-demy. She was a volunteer for Special Olympics, Hearts from Home, beach cleanup and Boy Scout Camporee. Master Sgt. Scott Passman, 81st Force Support Squadron, is 2nd Air Force's first sergeant of the year. He served as the medical task force first sergeant for more than 1,100 forces at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. He oversaw a revamped process that cut inprocessing time in half and bolstered a 98 percent survival rate. He mentored an Airman Leadership School class on leadership principles and techniques. During Hurricane Gustav, he ensured returning evacuees had a place to stay, supplied shelter support and maintained accountability. Sergeant Passman is president of Keesler's first sergeant council and established a similar organization at Bagram, serving as vice president. He led an annual golf fundraiser for Project Cheer and assisted a local school with a campus beautification project.