A San Diego-based Navy diver, fire controller and paralegal were honored as 2015 Sailors of the Year by their respective commands, the Navy announced Friday.
Diver 1st Class Kristoffer Ilagan from Moreno Valley in Riverside County was named Shore Sailor of the Year by the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force. He’s attached to the Undersea Rescue Command, which is based in San Diego.
Ilagan was selected from among 10 finalists for the award.
Third Fleet sea and shore Sailors of the Year were Fire Controlman 1st Class Brandon York, who works for the San Diego-based fleet command staff, and Legalman 1st Class Belinda Hall, assigned to the staff of Carrier Strike Group 1, which is led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
Both Third Fleet winners are from North Carolina — York from Yadkinville and Hall from Spring Lake.
“Our sailors are better trained, better educated, and better equipped than at any other time I’ve witnessed in my 30-year career,” said Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, Third Fleet commanding officer.
“These leaders are the best-of-the-best,” Tyson said. “I’m glad it was difficult to select the Sailors of the Year, because it speaks volumes to the caliber of sailors from each command, and it gives me great confidence in the future of our Navy.”
The Navy said winners have to go through an in-depth performance review and take part in a board interview. They’ll move on to the Pacific Fleet Sailors of the Year competition.
–City News Service
