SMSgt. Michael J. Falleroni
- Duty Title: Operations Superintendent
- Organization: 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
- Home of Record: Ogden, Utah
Senior Master Sergeant Falleroni helped stand up a battlecab for USAFE’s Air Operations Center, developing real-time, top-secret intelligence for the CFACC and five general officers during Operation Midnight Hammer. His actions enabled the largest B-2 mission in history, executing strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Falleroni then launched Air Combat Command’s first real-world Distributed Intel Communications Element kit in theater, connecting AFCENT C4ISR to USAFE & 1 FW, supporting the rapid redeployment of 12 F-22s and protecting $1.7B in assets from Iran’s retaliatory strikes. He led a team of 87 NATO personnel using a top-secret military system in the Arctic for the first time, enabling 15 F-35 fighter jet missions that demonstrated joint interoperability to Norway’s Minister of Defense. Falleroni organized a team to close down operations at al-Asad Air Base, coordinating 174 aircraft missions to safely move 248 military personnel and $4M worth of critical equipment out of the location.
MSgt. Peter J. Nunes
- Duty Title: Command Armament Inspector
- Organization: Office of the Inspector General, HQ Air ForceGlobal Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
- Home of Record: Warwick, R.I.
Master Sergeant Nunes demonstrated excellence under pressure in several combat operations. During Operation Rough Rider, he served as Wing Weapons Manager, leading 28 deployed Airmen. The team enabled 51 combat sorties and more than 790 weapons expenditures, despite having to overcome six technical data limitations. Nunes was named the Wing’s Armament Manager of the Year. During Operation Midnight Hammer, Nunes led six expediters and 48 loaders in support of the largest B-2 strike package and the first operational use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator against two Iranian nuclear sites, earning the Air & Space Commendation Medal. As Maintenance Operations Senior Enlisted Leader, he led 124 Airmen across nine sections, modernized security clearance tracking, and earned the Group’s Maintenance Support Professional of the Year award. He also led the Commander’s Continuous Improvement Program, guiding a self-assessment team to zero deficiencies during the AFGSC Nuclear Surety Inspection.
MSgt. Andrew L. Schaeffer
- Duty Title: Director of Innovation
- Organization: 35th Fighter Wing Staff Agency, Misawa Air Base, Japan
- Home of Record: Las Vegas
Master Sergeant Schaeffer, as the 35th Fighter Wing’s first 91000 Futures Airman, led 15 engineers from four major commands in finding ways to reverse-engineer and recreate 42 aircraft parts for six different aircraft that could no longer be purchased. His efforts earned DAF’s sole field-level production approval and helped his team advance to the 2026 HAF Aether Sprint semifinals. As INDOPACOM’s Project Arc Manager, he directed 12 scientists through 118 projects across two Numbered Air Forces, delivering 24 high-side AI and counter-drone solutions to 23 units. His teams generated $29M in savings and established two programs of record. Schaeffer also led research and development of SHADOWLANCE, DoW’s first grassroots, low-cost, rapidly manufactured unmanned cruise-missile drone, radically reducing costs by 99%, from $3M to a remarkable $20K per system, strengthening forward-location defenses.
MSgt. Catherine L. Young
- Duty Title: Superintendent, Logistics and Readiness
- Organization: 4th Security Forces Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
- Home of Record: San Diego
Master Sergeant Young, as the DAF Outstanding Electronic Warfare SNCO of the Year, advised wing leadership on USNORTHCOM security policies, safeguarding more than 22,000 personnel and $2.9B in assets. She led the team recognized as AFCENT’s Best Medium Security Forces Unit, directing a $212M radar initiative that defeated 49 drone incursions and protected 3,000 deployed personnel. As the Force Protection advisor for a major runway reconstruction effort, Young developed a relocation plan for 2,000 Airmen and 105 aircraft, preserving $358M in flight operations. Selected by PACAF to design a new integrated air defense construct, she redefined the theater’s counter-small unmanned aircraft system (C-sUAS) kill chain. Young also directed security for her wing’s 2025 Air Show, protecting 130,000 attendees, and earned 15th Air Force’s GEICO Service Member of the Year for raising $141K for community programs.
TSgt. Kailey L. DeLage
- Duty Title: NCOIC, Clinical Services Administration
- Organization: 320th Correctional & Rehabilitation Squadron, Joint Base Lindsey Graham, S.C.
- Home of Record: Manteca, Calif.
Technical Sergeant DeLage enhanced the security and safety of more than 370 personnel at a DoW correctional facility, leading five sections responsible for more than 110 prisoner intakes and 730 therapy sessions. As acting Senior Enlisted Leader, she led eight NCOs with varying specialty codes, spread across geographically separated units. Her efforts enabled her team to earn three Navy Achievement Medals, two promotions, and six unit awards. DeLage overhauled operations at the Psychiatry Clinic, navigating through four major transitions, restructuring telehealth operations, and securing two permanent psychiatrists, a historic first for Naval Brigs. She developed a care plan oversight tool linking multiple units, saving the DoW $150,000 and helped restore telehealth services for 185 prisoners. DeLage led a year-long youth drug education program, directing 34 facilitators, delivering 168 lessons at 18 schools, and impacting more than 813,000 community members.
TSgt. George A. Distel
- Duty Title: Superintendent, Plans and Programs
- Organization: 49th Security Forces Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
- Home of Record: Ambler, Pa.
Technical Sergeant Distel, while deployed as NCOIC of Operations, helped shape the future of Air Force combat operations during the Israel-Iran 12-day war. Stepping up to serve in a critical senior master sergeant role, Distel commanded 241 Defenders, protected 99 alert aircraft, and led Security Forces’ first-ever kinetic kills of two suicide drones during a massive attack involving more than 460 missiles and 77 drones. This exceptional combat leadership earned him the Air and Space Commendation Medal with “C” device and a Gallant Unit Citation. Distel also established the AOR’s first Coyote missile reloading team, showcasing unprecedented technical adaptability. This rapid-reload capability dramatically shortened weapon turnaround times and earned him the prestigious AFCENT Innovation Excellence Award. He spearheaded host-nation training to secure a 484-square-mile zone against 38 threats, authored the theater’s first Joint Site Defense Plan, and was selected for the Wing Security Forces Functional Annual Award.
TSgt. Michael A. Roybal
- Duty Title: Contracting Officer
- Organization: 460th Contracting Squadron, Buckley Space Force Base, Colo.
- Home of Record: Denver
Technical Sergeant Roybal, as the sole Contracting Officer in Israel, executed a $30M portfolio while under the constant barrage of 429 Iranian ballistic missile strikes. During the 12-day war, he led a $296K bunker upgrade to protect 500 coalition forces from traumatic brain injuries, resolving a 3-year AFCENT deficiency. Roybal filled in as the Senior Enlisted Leader, overseeing a $282M augmentation program while training a team of seven company grade officers and three Senior NCOs. His efforts earned him the Army Commendation Medal. He leveraged his equipment operator expertise to transport a $1.2B missile defense system and 9.6 tons of critical supplies. Roybal procured a critical $1.3M site management and translation service, ensuring 17 DoW initiatives could continue without interruption. His efforts reinforced host-nation relations and bolstered the National Security Strategy. In less than 72 hours, Roybal delivered $400K in essential supplies to support the United Kingdom’s largest carrier deployment since 2021.
SSgt. Brianna D. St. Lawrence-Brody
- Duty Title: Command & Control Systems Craftsman
- Organization: 120th Airlift Wing, Great Falls, Mont.
- Home of Record: Great Falls, Mont.
Staff Sergeant St. Lawrence-Brody, while deployed to the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing Regional Command Post, excelled as a Training NCOIC, implementing a groundbreaking initiative that resulted in certification of 662 members across two combatant commands and four geographically separated units. She controlled 87 sorties, coordinating the movement of 536 passengers and 94 tons of cargo during the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Niger. St. Lawrence-Brody overhauled more than 385 quick-reaction checklists and procedures protecting over 1,000 personnel and $98M in vital ISR and counter-terrorism operations. Furthermore, she showcased unparalleled composure and expertise during an in-flight emergency, applying her skills as a Registered Nurse to assess and stabilize a fellow passenger in acute distress, relaying vitals to a ground medical team.
SrA. Alessandro Bianchini
- Duty Title: Commander’s Support Staff Lead Personnel Technician
- Organization: 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- Home of Record: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Staff Sergeant Bianchini, as the lead personnelist at the 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron, distinguished himself through exceptional leadership of the A1 flight in a unique combat training environment, providing critical personnel support to Air Commandos across 20 expeditionary squadrons, eight groups, and two Joint Task Forces. He expertly orchestrated 92 temporary duty assignments, fueling the Air Commando Center’s mobile training program and enabling command-directed training for Special Operations Task Groups executing critical U.S. Special Operations Command taskings. Demonstrating remarkable initiative and versatility, Bianchini excelled beyond the scope of his primary duties, earning two drone certificates and dedicating 48 hours in the field as an ISR Mission Sustainment Team role player, showcasing downrange operational capabilities. His exceptional administrative support for 26 center-level courses directly enabled joint force deployments and culminated in his selection as the sole AFSOC Airman to attend the prestigious Inter-American Air Forces Academy.
SrA. Nathan J. Carver
- Duty Title: Centralized Repair Facility Journeyman
- Organization: 48th Component Maintenance Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, U.K.
- Home of Record: Davison, Mich.
Senior Airman Carver excelled while filling a position above his rank for more than two months, earning the 48th Maintenance Group Commander’s waiver for advanced certifications to perform 7-level maintenance. As shift lead, he established 24-hour coverage, increasing engine production by 25% for Combat Air Forces’ largest flying-hour program. Carver revolutionized throughput by fusing two major inspections, eliminating 1,200 tasks and 3,200 hours while reducing build times by three days. His initiative erased a Combat Air Forces deficit for two combatant commands, delivering 42 war-ready engines. Carver authored three Air Force technical order changes and developed SOPs, training 17 maintainers on core rigging, eliminating 570 man-hours annually and earning Pratt & Whitney’s “Best in Class” Award. As a certified Liberty Wing HOPE Airman, he leveraged a speech course to inspire 130 chapel patrons. Carver’s leadership and impact earned him a 2-Star Air Force Chief of Chaplains coin and Below-the-Zone selection.
SrA. Logan A. Grindstaff
- Duty Title: KC-46A Boom Operator
- Organization: 924th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.
- Home of Record: Wichita, Kan.
Senior Airman Grindstaff, as a KC-46A boom operator, logged more than 100 combat flying hours in support of Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury, directly enabling long-range strike capabilities and sustained combat airpower. He executed high-stakes aerial refueling missions for joint and coalition aircraft, transferring critical fuel loads to ensure aircraft had enough fuel for sustained operations and rapid global mobility. Grindstaff spearheaded complex tanker integration during multiple Large Force Exercises, including Red Flag Alaska 2024 and Cope North 2025, enhancing joint readiness and interoperability in contested operational environments. His superior airmanship and flawless mission execution during high-tempo deployments directly bolstered the 924th ARS combat effectiveness and reinforced the KC-46A’s role as a premier power projection asset.
SrA. Sierra F. Mueller
- Duty Title: Contracting Officer
- Organization: 39th Contracting Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
- Home of Record: Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
Senior Airman Mueller excelled in an NCO role, managing more than 1/3 of her section’s workload and securing authority to approve contracts valued at $5M. She co-negotiated four high-visibility price targets under the $32B DoW Housing program, saving $2M and supporting more than 18,000 joint-service troops stationed at seven different bases. Mueller championed five source selection teams and engineered analysis models to evaluate a construction contract worth $1B. As part of an Advanced Echelon team, she deployed to the Philippines, acquiring essential resources to establish operational sites for joint medical units. Mueller also directed the strategy for Project DentX, tripling air system capacity and increasing prosthetic production by 43%, enhancing operational capabilities and improving efficiency across 20 command medical facilities. She was handpicked for an aircraft recovery plan, sourcing technology 82% faster than standard timelines to safeguard $2B in assets, resulting in her selection as DAF Functional Airman of the Year.