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The 40th Helicopter Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., received the 2022 Omaha Trophy in June as the best ICBM squadron. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon a nuclear enterprise by a civilian organization and is given to units across U.S. Strategic Command. The 40th distinguished itself by flying eight aircraft 4,060 hours and safeguarding 84 nuclear weapons movements, establishing a safe zone for a damaged payload transporter and rescuing an emergency patient. The 40th also led security training in the missile fields by identifying security shortfalls and developing improvements, and protected the wing’s $2.2 billion arsenal.
Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., Airmen and Alabama nonprofit Legacy Flight Academy powered the first-ever Eyes Above the Horizon (EAH) outreach event for underrepresented youth in June. EAH provides local youth the opportunity to foster interests in aviation and STEM material. Students experienced Tuskegee Airmen-themed professional development, team building, a college and career fair, and aircraft simulator exercises. “No matter where we are, there are aspects of the community that just don’t see things outside of their backyards,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Jones, 49th Fighter Training Squadron Commander.
The 349th Force Support Squadron (FSS) at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won the 2022 Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Force Support Wartime Readiness Legacy Award earlier this year—their second time receiving this honor. The award recognizes AFRC’s best FSS in leadership, performance, and innovation in wartime readiness preparation. They led the command in readiness training, readiness activities, and utilizing innovative tactics, techniques, and procedures to advance readiness strategy. “What we have been doing is meeting several readiness factors,” said Lt. Col. Faith Eudy, 349th FSS commander.
Retired Gen. Tod D. Wolters, former Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa, will receive the next USAFE Order of the Sword at a formal ceremony in spring 2024. Established and bestowed by the enlisted force, the Order of the Sword recognizes an individual for remarkable contributions to enlisted personnel. Key initiatives Wolters championed included the USAFE-AFAFRICA Superintendent Course as well as the Inter-European Air Forces Academy, which trains company-grade officers and junior noncommissioned officers in a blended curriculum.
New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Ryan Rutz (left) 106th Rescue Wing, with Col. Shawn Fitzgerald 106th RQW commander, recently received the Staff Sgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member Airman of the Year Award, given to the Air Guard’s top career enlisted aircrew member. Rutz serves as the loadmaster for an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft flown by the wing’s 102nd Rescue Squadron. Based at Gabreski ANGB, N.Y., 106th members are trained to rescue personnel behind enemy lines and conduct search and rescue operations worldwide.
Quick reaction from 195th Wing Security Forces Senior Airman Ivan Sauer (left) and Staff Sgt. Alex Tranchina likely saved the life of a civilian who collapsed outside the perimeter of Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Calif., last August. Sauer witnessed a man falling backwards, then lying still on the ground. He and Tranchina sprinted to the unconscious man and discovered some diabetes paperwork. They stayed with the individual until rescue personnel arrived. After multiple doses of Naloxone HCI from paramedics, he responded.
Cadets from Virginia and Texas Civil Air Patrol (CAP) wings recently earned private pilot certificates through the Civil Air Patrol Youth Aviation Initiative’s Cadet Wings program. Cadet Col. Jacob Brown (above left) of the Texas Wing’s Redbird Composite Squadron plans to pursue an aviation career and attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He also intends to become an adult CAP member.
Cadet Maj. Samuel Ten (inset) of the Virginia Wing’s Burke Composite Squadron plans to become an airline pilot. He will participate in Purdue University’s professional flight program and obtain a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot License so he can begin flying for an airline at 1,000 hours.
Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., is one of just six military installations across DOD to win the 2023 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Established by the President in 1985, the award encourages commanders to foster innovative environments and enhance base-level services, facilities, and quality of life. The award recognizes excellence in several areas, including mission support, quality of life and unit morale, health and security, and public relations. Peterson Space Force Base has more than 100 specific accomplishments that contributed to its win.