Creating leaders, not followers: Airman named one of the Air Force's Outstanding Airmen of the Year

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Michael J. Falleroni never set out to become one of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2026. In fact, he laughs at the idea that anything about this year was about him. Instead, he points to the Airmen beside him.

“They share this recognition,” Falleroni said. “I didn’t start the year with this goal in mind. It came from a lot of long days and sacrificed time away from home by both me and my Airmen. My teams performed exceptionally.”

That mindset – placing people ahead of personal recognition, is one reason Falleroni – the then operations superintendent of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, was selected as one of the Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2026.

U.S. Air Force Col. Scott Weed, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa deputy director of communications, described Falleroni as “the type of leader you build a team around.”

“Mike is the type of servant leader that has an impact on the ethos and culture of a unit for years to come,” Weed said. “He leads up and down, leaving a legacy of empowerment and perspective on those he leads and those he follows.”

His career began Sept. 1, 2009, after deciding college wasn’t the right fit.

“I wasn’t mature enough to take college seriously and needed to do something with myself,” he said.

Military service, however, was already woven into his family’s history.

His grandfather fought in North Africa during World War II. His father served in the Marine Corps. His great-uncle, for whom he was named, landed on the beaches of Normandy during World War II.

Growing up in Ogden, Utah, Falleroni remembers a childhood before smartphones and constant connectivity.

“We didn’t have cell phones, the internet was slow and we had to be home once the streetlamps turned on,” he said. “It was awesome.”

Those early experiences helped shape an appreciation for relationships that would later define his leadership philosophy.

Today, as the senior enlisted leader for the 693rd Intelligence Support Squadron, his responsibilities extend far beyond advising a commander.

“I develop and mentor the next generation of service members while advising my boss,” he said.

For Falleroni, the most rewarding part of any day isn’t sitting in meetings or solving organizational challenges.

“The real fun is interacting with the Airmen and being able to celebrate their wins.”

That perspective wasn’t developed overnight. Some of the defining moments of his career came during some of the Air Force’s most demanding operations. During the collapse of Kabul in 2021, Falleroni witnessed service members from every specialty stepping far beyond their normal duties during the largest noncombatant evacuation in U.S. history.

Witnessing people adapt under extraordinary pressure changed how he viewed military service.

“It made me a believer in mission-ready and multi-capable Airmen,” he said.

The experience also came with lasting personal challenges. Following the attack at Abbey Gate during Operation Allies Refuge, Falleroni struggled after returning home. “As a typically very stoic person, I learned firsthand the value of empathy, communication and self-care,” he said.

The experience transformed how he leads others. Today, the qualities his Airmen most often use to describe him are decisive, empathetic and focused on growth. Those lessons continue to shape how he develops every member of his team.

“I have a game plan for every Airman, noncommissioned officer and senior noncommissioned officer that needs to be serving in the next grade,” he said. “I think in months and years when developing opportunities for growth.”

His philosophy is simple.

“Empower your folks,” he said. “If you’ve successfully cultivated a team that understands intent, vision and takes pride in their mission, at some point they won’t need you anymore –and that’s a net positive for the Air Force.”

Weed said Falleroni’s influence extends far beyond the missions his teams execute.

“Mike’s true measure is not how many followers he has, but how many leaders he has created,” Weed said.

That investment in people has paid dividends throughout his career.

Rather than pointing to high-profile missions as his proudest accomplishments, Falleroni speaks most passionately about watching others succeed.

He recalls an Airman who wasn’t selected for Below-the-Zone promotion but later became an exceptional noncommissioned officer. Another NCO who overcame a difficult evaluation before eventually earning promotion to senior master sergeant. An Airman who sought help through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program before going on to thrive.

“Airmen who rise to the occasion and overcome adversity are the most inspiring,” he said.

Those stories matter more to him than awards.

Although his teams supported major operations including Operation Epic Fury, Operation Southern Spear, the retrograde of Al Asad Air Base and Exercise Heavy Rain, he credits those around him for every success.

“I don’t think anything set me apart outside of the missions we were tasked to do and the time at which we were tasked to do them,” he said. “My Airmen helped set me apart.”

Weed pointed to Exercise Heavy Rain 2025 as one example of Falleroni’s operational leadership. The exercise brough together more than 400 joint, special operations and multinational participants and became U.S. European Command’s largest contested command, control, communications and computers exercise. Its realism and impact ultimately led to it being briefed during the Air Force’s four-star CORONA conference.

“Mike operates seamlessly as both a technical expert and a leader at the operational level,” Weed said. “He is the epitome of situational leadership.

When he learned he had been selected as one of the Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year, his first reaction reflected both surprise and humility.

“Holy moley,” he recalled with a laugh. “The caliber of the nominees during the in-person assessment and selection will humble you. All of them could serve in this capacity.”

The recognition, he said, brought something unexpected.

“Relief.”

He credits Ramstein’s Chiefs Group, leaders across the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, 435th Communications Operations Group, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron and countless Airmen for helping him reach this point.

He also credits his wife, an active duty master sergeant, whose support made the demanding year possible.

Outside the uniform, Falleroni describes himself as a homebody despite having traveled to more than 40 countries. He enjoys fitness, reading, podcasts, movies, music and video games. He has played guitar since he was 12 years old and admits he once had long hair while performing in emo bands.

“Millennials unite!” he joked.

Fitness also became a turning point in his personal life.

“I used to be significantly overweight when I was an NCO,” he said. “Getting in shape taught me discipline and helped instill self-confidence.”

Despite the national recognition, Falleroni remains focused on what comes next rather than what he’s accomplished.

Yet while Falleroni spends months – even years – thinking about the future of the Airmen he mentors, he applies a much narrower lens to his career.

“I’m only focused on the five-meter target and developing as a junior senior enlisted leader,” he said.

He hopes his legacy won’t be measured by awards or decorations.

“I just hope my Airmen remember me fondly, the way I remember my mentors now that I’m filling their shoes.”

Asked to describe Falleroni in three words, Weed didn’t hesitate.

“Outcome-orientated. Selfless. Relentless.”

If given just five minutes with every new Airman entering the Air Force, his advice would be straightforward.

“No one cares more about your career than you,” he said. “Set a goal, make a plan and take charge of your career. Find that NCO or SNCO who has it together and get to know them.”

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