445 AW chaplain is AFLCMC CGO of the Year

  • Published
  • By 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Chaplain (Capt.) Sonny Hernandez, 445th Airlift Wing Chaplain Corps, is the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Individual Mobilization Accession Company Grade Officer of the Year. Hernandez came to the 445th Airlift Wing November 2014.

Hernandez provided spiritual guidance to three active duty chaplains. He supported four active duty Airmen struggling to pass their physical fitness test. He taught two new IMA chaplains Air Force processes and the Air Force chaplain mission, easing integration of the new chaplains into the Chaplain Corps. He established 45 visiting hours for more than 550 cadets while assigned as the IMA chaplain at the Air Force Academy, bolstering their morale.

Hernandez stepped in and prevented an active-duty suicide by intervening with three hours of counseling to the individual and the family. The chaplain also provided a crisis care follow up visit to a squadron, engaging with 10 Airmen and squadron leadership coping with the death of a fellow Airman. He presided over 18 military and 33 civilian funerals, bringing comfort and strength to 600 family and military members. While at the Air Force Academy, Hernandez was the on-call chaplain support to the active-duty Rabbi chaplain, allowing the cadets Jewish religious rites.

During his off-duty time, Hernandez is an adjunct professor at McKendree University, teaching world religions to 20 military and veteran students. He's a self-published author, penning a family counseling and theology book. Hernandez organized more than 70 volunteers to assemble and distribute 450 meals to feed the homeless. The chaplain earned a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership degree.