Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander, U.S. Naval Air Forces, announced the winners of the 2016 Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific (CNAP) Sailor of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony, Jan. 26.

An award is given to two Sailors, one who competed against other Sailors in commands designated as sea duty and another who competed against shore-duty Sailors. Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class William Stevens, with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 and Naval Air Crewman (Avionics) 1st Class David Matuska, with Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 10, were selected for CNAP's 2016 Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year, respectively.

"It's an honor to win," said Stevens. "Meeting everyone who were finalists was phenomenal. I'd have to thank my wife, who has been with me all 13 years and continues to support me. It was great to have my CO (commanding officer) and CMC (command master chief) to celebrate with me here tonight. This is as much for them as it is for me. I'd like to thank them for the effort that they've put into me and hopefully I can continue to make them proud. I am looking forward to meeting more phenomenal Sailors and leadership throughout the fleet, and just have the opportunity to say in front of that leadership what phenomenal Sailors I have that work with me every day and give the credit to them -- because it is them who I am here to represent. I'm not here representing AW1 Stevens; I am here representing everyone who I've worked with and everyone who has put in time and effort in me."

The other sea finalists were Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Patrick Baumia, with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21; Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Michael Errichiello, with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27; Naval Air Crewman (Operator) 1st Class Raymond Perez, with Patrol Squadron (VP) 9; and Engineman 1st Class Garrett Rochon, with aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN) 68.

The other shore finalists were Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class James Bales, with Strike Fighter Weapons Det. in Fallon, Nevada; Naval Air Crewman (Mechanical) 1st Class Clifford Birt, with Fleet Logistic Support Squadron (VRC) 30; Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class Justin Blair, with Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) in Iwakuni, Japan; and Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Rudolpho Perez, with HSC-3.

"To the Sailors of Year and your spouses, I hope it's been a great week," said Shoemaker. "You've had a chance to meet and network with your talented peers from the across the force and meet with senior leaders in naval aviation. I know you'll do great work when you return to the fleet. It's been a privilege to get to know you all and your spouses this week."

Stevens and Matuska will now advance to compete against their peers for the Pacific Command SOY.

The SOY program was established in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet to recognize an individual Sailor who best represented the group of dedicated professional Sailors at each command, and ultimately the entire Navy. When the program began, only the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors were recognized. Within 10 years, the SOY program was expanded to include shore establishments and the Naval Reserve.

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