Staff Sgt. Tabitha Awoniyi, 442nd Force Support Squadron Commander, Whiteman AFB, Mo., and her morning show team earned a Regional Emmy Award, one of journalism’s highest broadcast honors. She is the weekday news producer at WLKY-TV, a 24-hour news station in Louisville, Ky. The award is for her team’s coverage of the UPS plane crash in November 2025. Awoniyi writes the scripts for the newscast and manages the flow of information. She credits her military background with enabling her to handle breaking news with leadership and poise. As a Reserve Citizen Airman, Awoniyi said, “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from the Air Force is the importance of accountability and staying calm under pressure.”
Airmen of the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, during a single sortie achieved two rescue missions in Arctic Alaska in September. After receiving an SOS signal, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an HH-60W from the 210th Rescue Sq., an HC-130J, from the 212th RS, as well as Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels who were able to reference the SOS coordinates and hoist the two stranded hunters to safety from the Koness River. While on this mission, another SOS call was fielded and two other hunters in distress 30 miles away on the Sheenjek River were also lifted to safety. Cellphones do not have strong signals in these areas.
Combat Artist Retired Lt. Col. Warren Neary (left) from the Air Force Reserve Command Office of Historical Services Combat Art and Outreach Section returned to Dover AFB, Del., in September to unveil a painting honoring the dignified transfer of the fallen. Titled, “A Solemn Promise,” the painting depicts a transfer from a 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron ceremony in 2017. Neary’s work shows the straight-on view, as opposed to many side views of previous transfers, to heighten (or amplify) the faces and emotions of the event. The painting, now part of the Air Force Art Collection, will be displayed periodically in other locations.
Senior Master Sgt. Luis Colon, 927th Security Forces Sq., MacDill AFB, Fla., while on duty as a civilian police officer sprinted to the scene after a speeding vehicle crashed into a light pole. The driver remained trapped and unresponsive as fire erupted. Colon cut the seat belt and dragged the victim from the car just in time. His dual career training prepared him to process chaos and prioritize life-saving action, Colon said. “When seconds mattered, and a life was on the line, Senior Master Sgt. Colon didn’t hesitate,” said Col. John Weeks, 926th Mission Support Group commander. “Service before self is in his DNA.”
Tech. Sgt. Michael Dantzler, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron resource advisor, acting outside of his primary duties, secured $50,000 to establish a new AMXS building for the 31st Maintenance Group and processed $520,000 of Defense Travel System reimbursement for 60 Airmen in just five days. He also helped attain financial support for the 31st Helicopter Maintenance Unit, affording help to 320 additional personnel. Going from maintenance to assisting as a resource advisor is new for Dantzler, and he said he learns something new every day. He and his crew received the 2025 Secretary of War Maintenance Awards Country Team Award in Phoenix in January.
Master Sgt. Troy Reed, a military entrance processing station liaison supervisor for the 331st Recruiting Sq. in Alabama, won a second-place Silver Trophy at the Natural Strongman World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in August. The strongman competition started with a 572-pound dead lift and then a Circus dumbbell event. He was in fifth-place after those events. Then the final challenge was a load medley—running while carrying kegs and sandbags back and forth. Reed attacked the final event with determination and grit and finished with the fastest performance of the weekend.
The 593rd Test & Evaluation Sq., Space Delta 12, introduced RAVEN, a new telescope for student use into the Air Force Test Pilot School’s Space Course to provide hands-on observation and tracking of orbital objects. Commissioned on Sept. 8, 2026, Raven will provide situational awareness to operational crews and commanders. “What they learn at the schoolhouse will have far-reaching impacts in rapidly delivering combat-credible space systems to the joint force,” said Maj. James Ross, 593rd TES assistant director of operations.
U.S. Space Force 1st Lt. Nicholas Mckenzie won the 2026 Air Force Marathon in the Men’s Full Marathon category, which consisted of more than 9,000 registered runners across 50 states at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, on Sept. 19. His time was 2 hours, 34 minutes, and 31 seconds. McKenzie recalled, “Running and seeing the tributes to our fallen service members along the route was emotional and heartwarming. … It motivated me to dig a little deeper.” Those who crossed the finish line of the 30th Air Force Marathon proved mental readiness, discipline, and preparation can go a long way.