The Air Force has named the four recipients of the 2009 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. They are: Lt. Col. Roger A. Sherman, assigned to Peterson AFB, Colo., senior officer category; Capt. Rachel M. Phillips, Sembach Annex, Germany, junior officer category; SMSgt. Jesse D. Schraner, Hurlburt Field, Fla., senior enlisted category; and SSgt. Gino P. Kahaunaele, Pope AFB, N.C., junior enlisted category. These airmen will be presented with the award at a later date. The Sijan award is an annual honor that recognizes airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to an organization at the wing level and below. It is named after the first Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. (For more on Sijan, read The Courage of Lance Sijan from the archives of Air Force Magazine.)
Airman Charged in M18 Shooting Death Found Dead
Oct. 27, 2025
The Airman arrested in connection with the M18 pistol discharge that killed a fellow member of Air Force security forces on July 20 in Wyoming was found dead earlier this month, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed.
