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U.S. Air Force Maj. Andre “Guns” Golson, a 31st Operations Support Squadron F-16 fighter pilot at Aviano Air Base, Italy, earned the Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault Award for advancing Air Force weapons and tactics through innovation and leadership. During a 2024 CENTCOM deployment, Golson helped pioneer the air-to-air employment of the low-cost AGR-20 Falco against unmanned aerial threats, dramatically reducing engagement costs while protecting forces and allies. His achievements reflect a competitive drive rooted in excellence, teamwork, and service. Looking ahead, Golson aims to grow as a leader while prioritizing his role as a husband and father.
Senior Airman Makenna Greenlee has transformed a lifelong passion for sports into a foundation for leadership and service in the U.S. Air Force. Raised in a large Texas family and shaped by years of competitive athletics, Greenlee brings discipline, teamwork and resilience to her role as a food services journeyman while excelling as a member of the Air Force Rugby team. Her dedication recently led her to represent the United States in an international rugby tournament in New Zealand. For Greenlee, athletics and service are inseparable, strengthening both her mission readiness and personal growth. “Athletics and service aren’t two separate parts of my life; they’re interconnected, and they both push me to be the best version of myself,” Greenlee said.
A missed FaceTime call changed everything for Staff Sgt. Joshua Schul, a 355th Civil Engineer Squadron unit deployment manager selected for the Air Force’s highly competitive Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program–Officer Training School. Chosen by Air Combat Command Commander Gen. Adrian Spain, Schul’s selection marks the culmination of years of determination, mentorship and personal growth. After earning his degree and discovering a passion for aviation through the Rated Preparatory Program, he is now on track to become a special operations pilot. For Schul, the opportunity reflects both teamwork and the courage to pursue ambitious goals.
At the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, “Brothers in Arms” is more than a saying—it’s a family reality. Senior Airman Eithan Rush, Airman 1st Class Wyatt Rush, and Airman Jayden Mancilla serve side by side, each maintaining different components of the wing’s F-15 fleet. Rooted in a multigenerational tradition of military service, the brothers bring their shared values of teamwork, pride and accountability to their roles. While friendly rivalry remains, their close bond strengthens their effectiveness as wingmen and maintainers. Together, they embody how family ties can reinforce mission success. “As a wingman, you do the same thing, but we’re just wearing a uniform now,” Wyatt said.
After years of struggling with alcoholism, Master Sgt. Timka Peltonen of the 488th Intelligence Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, U.K., reached a breaking point that threatened both his career and personal well-being. What began as stress-fueled drinking early in his Air Force career evolved into dependency—affecting his work, marriage, and sense of self. By voluntarily seeking help through the Air Force’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, Peltonen took the first difficult steps toward recovery. With supportive leadership and treatment, he began reclaiming control of his life and rediscovering hope. “The whole ADAPT program was about giving me the tools to succeed and me using my hands to move them,” Peltonen said.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sarah Loudon is forging a new path from military medicine to civilian care as part of the University of Minnesota’s inaugural Military Medic to Medical School program. The one-year program recognizes the leadership, adaptability, and critical-care expertise of combat medics and prepares them for medical school through tailored coursework, mentorship, and Medical College Admission Test [MCAT] support. A former flight medic, Loudon balanced deployment and test preparation while translating her operational experience into civilian clinical practice. As she begins medical school, she aims to serve rural and underserved communities while continuing her military service through a future commission.
As the 39th Force Support Squadron fitness assessment cell manager, Airman 1st Class Jasmine Perez helps Turkey’s Incirlik Airmen stay fit, ready, and confident in meeting Air Force standards. A lifelong athlete and nationally qualified bodybuilder, Perez brings discipline, consistency and encouragement to her role, overseeing fitness testing and training unit fitness leaders across the base. Her commitment to physical readiness supports not only performance but also mental resilience and leadership by example. “You don’t have to be perfect,” Perez said. “Just ask questions, show up and be willing to learn. You’ll be surprised where it can take you.”
Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo., won the inaugural Air Force Historical Foundation (AFHF) Award for Superior Unit Performance for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2025. Working alongside Missouri’s 509th Bomb Wing, planning and executing the 36-hour-long mission, this marked the first time the ANG participated directly in a nuclear deterrence strike of this scale. Operating B-2 Spirit bombers and delivering 30,000-pound GBU-57 MOP bombs, the 131st played a pivotal role in displaying integrated and decisive combat power. This new award is similar to the AFHF’s Jimmy Doolittle Award for joint operations in high-stakes environments, which will be awarded to the 509th.
