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Flooding from persistent July thunderstorms devastated the communities of Mescalero and Ruidoso, N.M., leading more than 90 Airmen from the 29th Attack Squadron and 7th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Bliss, Texas, to mobilize in support of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Teams of Airmen cleared debris from waterways, organized clothing donations, and filled more than 500 sandbags to protect infrastructure, including the Mescalero Tribal Fish Hatchery, which lost 80 percent of its fish. “Seeing that many volunteers step up to help the tribe was nothing short of amazing,” said Kyle Valdez, Mescalero Emergency Operations Center project manager.
At 17 years old, a roadside sign, “Flight School Opening Soon,” outside of a rural Minnesota airport sparked a dream that has taken U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau to the skies as commander of the F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team. The New York Mills, Minn., native, grew up with an interest in flying and air shows, meeting a recruiter at one of the shows made his mind up to pursue his dream. Tourneau now headlines air shows worldwide. “I just hope to inspire those kids out there to find something that excites them … and pursue it relentlessly,” Le Tourneau said. In July, he returned home to headline the Duluth Air Show.
The 618th Air Operations Center earned the 2025 Verne Orr Award from the Air & Space Forces Association for its innovative use of human capital to deliver rapid global air mobility. The award recognizes organizations excelling in human resources management. “This isn’t just a win for us,” said Brig. Gen. Cassius Bentley, 618th AOC commander. “It’s a win for all of Air Mobility Command and the mobility enterprise.” The Department of Defense’s largest air operations center, the 618th AOC, oversees 24/7 global air mobility missions while driving advancements in technology, crew support, and Total Force development.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink (center) and Chief of Staff of Gen. David Allvin (left) greet CMSgt. Nathan Gershon, 618th Air Operations Center superintendent, and 618th AOC commander Brig. Gen. Bentley in July at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
The 635th Materiel Maintenance Group (MMG) has developed a unique wargame to enhance war reserve materiel readiness. Col. Brandon S. Maroon, 635th MMG commander, designed “BEAR Necessities” to train personnel in Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) assets, which are critical to deployment missions. The wargame focuses on four phases: Resource, Readiness, Deployment, and Reconstitution. “The game’s innovative design provides a no-fail, low-cost testing environment … and has proven to be an invaluable tool for addressing the complexities of readiness shortfall,” Maroon said. The customizable game can be played alone, with others, or in a competitive mode.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Brian Banks, a Reserve chaplain with the 88th Air Base Wing, Ohio, is one of the fastest 40-year-olds in the world after earning a Bronze Medal at the 2025 USA Track and Field Masters Indoor Nationals in the 60-meter dash. Banks, who started by getting his kids involved in track, also begun running in 2024. “I have this saying, ‘stay in your yard.’ I don’t lock eyes with anybody. … I just focus on getting there faster than anybody else.” Banks said. Alongside his competitive drive, Banks dedicates himself to guiding and supporting Airmen and their families as a chaplain, offering spiritual care and mental health support across Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Space Force Master Sgt. Allison Thodos’ military journey has taken her from serving in the Air Force Honor Guard to becoming flight chief, leading the intelligence analysis collections team at the National Space Defense Center (NSDC). After transferring to the Space Force in 2023, she embraced a new career as an intelligence analyst, where she oversees all collections at the NSDC. Thodos says the opportunity to work alongside “some of the smartest minds in the military” in the nation’s newest branch has been both transformative and deeply rewarding. “I just wanted to be a part of something new and amazing, and very happy I have gotten that opportunity,” she said.
Space Operations Command is emphasizing “community mindset” as one of 11 themes of the Year of the Company Grade Officer, building on last year’s campaign Year of the NCO. The initiative encourages junior officers to foster resilience and mission readiness through teamwork, mentorship, and transparent leadership. “No one wins alone,” said Capt. Ian Patterson, 21st Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services Flight commander. “Our community is our family. … We must rely on each other to be the most efficient and effective team possible.” The campaign aims to strengthen organizational culture across the Space Force. There is no combat readiness without family readiness.
