2009

Each year the Air Force Association honors the outstanding achievements of men and women throughout the United States Air Force, government, academia and the aerospace industry. The Association presents the awards at local AFA chapter and regional forums and during the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. Nominations for AFA national aerospace awards are solicited from the U.S. Air Force, members and leaders of AFA and the aerospace industry and U.S. citizens or organizations having a deep interest in aerospace activities.

For more information on the AFA National Aerospace Awards, please contact: Lynette Cross lcross@afa.org, (703) 247-5800, Ext. 4807

Lifetime Achievement Awards

AFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes not a single achievement, but a lifetime of work in the advancement of aerospace.

The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders

The Tuskegee Airmen

Dr. James Schlesinger

View previous recipients

National Aerospace Award Recipients

H. H. Arnold Award

For the most significant contribution by a military member for national defense

General John D.W. Corley
Commander, Air Combat Command and
Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command
     List of previous recipients
     AIR FORCE Magazine article on H.H. Arnold

W. Stuart Symington Award
For the most significant contribution by a civilian in the field of national defense.
Senator Orrin Hatch
Utah
    List of previous recipients
     AIR FORCE Magazine article on Stuart Symington

John R. Alison Award
For the most outstanding contribution by industrial leadership to national defense
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System
     List of previous recipients
     AIR FORCE Magazine article on John R. Alison

David C. Schilling Award
For the most outstanding contribution in the field of flight
U.S. Air Forces Central
Accepted by Lt Gen Gary L. North, Commander
     List of previous recipients

Theodore von Karman Award
For the most outstanding contribution in the field of science and engineering
Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition Team
Eglin AFB, Florida
     List of previous recipients

Gill Robb Wilson Award
For the most outstanding contribution in the field of arts and letters
The United States Air Force Band
Bolling AFB, District of Columbia
     List of previous recipients

Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award
For the most outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace education
Mr. Robert F. Collings
Founder of The Collings Foundation
     List of previous recipients

Thomas P. Gerrity Award
For the most outstanding contribution in the field of systems and logistics
Major Chad A. Holt
Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
     List of previous recipients

Thomas D. White Space Award
Recognizing outstanding contributions to Space
Maj Gen Stephen T. Sargeant
Commander, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico

     List of previous recipients

Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee of the Year
For the most outstanding performance of duty as a VA employee
Ms. Kendra Betz
Glendale, Colorado

Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault Award
For outstanding aerial warfare tactician(s) from ACC, PACAF, USAFE, ANG and AFRC
Major David C. Lyons
57th Wing
Nellis AFB, Nevada

CMSAF Thomas N. Barnes Award
For the most outstanding Aircraft Crew Chief in the U.S. Air Force
Staff Sergeant Jonathan W. Scheets
4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina

General Billy Mitchell Award for C⁴ Excellence
For the C⁴ professional who most enhanced the Air Force’s war-fighting capability
Captain Scott A. Weed
3rd Combat Communications Group
Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

General George C. Kenney Award
For the most significant contribution by an individual or team in the area of lessons learned
The Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command Lessons Learned Team
Hurlburt Field, Florida

Air Force Association Chairman’s Award
Captain Chesley Sullenberger
US Airways

Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award, Category I
For the Major Command with the best overall mishap prevention program
United States Air Forces in Europe
Directorate of Safety
Ramstein AB, Germany

Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award, Category II
For the Field Operating Agency or Direct Reporting Unit with the best overall mishap prevention program
Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico

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Team of the Year Award

Each year, the Air Force Association recognizes a specific enlisted career field for recognition. These are professionals who display superior technical expertise, attract the praise of their superiors, and provide leadership and inspiration to their co-workers. The Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, forwards the team selection to AFA and AFA honors the team members and their spouses in a ceremony in the District of Columbia.

2009 Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal representatives:
Gus Hamilton, II, SMSgt, Ramstein AB, Germany
Heath T. Tempel, TSgt, Eielson AFB, Alaska
Phillip M. Dyer, SSgt, Tyndall AFB, Florida
Cooper W. Gibson, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
Jasmine M. Nakayama, Hill AFB, Utah

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Citation of Honor Awards

For the outstanding contribution of an individual or organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind

• 4^th Air Support Operations Group
  Heidelberg, Germany
  
  
• 11^th Intelligence Squadron
  Hurlburt Field, Florida
  
  
• 703^rd Aeronautical Systems Group
  Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
  
  
• Enterprise Operations Squadron
  Chantilly, Virginia
  
  
• 563^rd Rescue Group
  Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
  
  

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Crew Awards

Airborne Battle Management Crew of the Year Award
For the outstanding AWACs or Joint Stars aircrew’s battle management contribution to the USAF and air power
Crew Two
16^th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
Robins AFB, Georgia

Brigadier General Ross G. Hoyt Award
For the best air refueling crew (Active, ANG or Reserves) in the USAF
The Crew of Air Force Rescue 5828
67^th Special Operations Squadron
RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom

General Curtis E. LeMay Award
For the best overall bomber aircrew in the Air Force
Crew of Bone 11
37^th Bomb Squadron
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota

General Jerome F. O’Malley Award
For the best reconnaissance crew in the U.S. Air Force
The RC-135 Crew of Python 75
38^th Reconnaissance Squadron
97^th Intelligence Squadron
55^th Operations Support Squadron
Offutt AFB, Nebraska
390^th Intelligence Squadron
Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan

General Thomas S. Power Award
For the best overall missile crew in the Air Force.
Captain Stephen M. Grinage and
Captain Benji L. Johnson
Crew Number 201
91^st Operations Support Squadron
Minot AFB, North Dakota

Best Space Operations Crew Award
For the best overall space operations crew in the U.S. Air Force
Alpha Crew
4^th Space Control Squadron
Holloman AFB, New Mexico

Lieutenant General William H. Tunner Award
For the most outstanding airlift crew in the Air Force
The Crew of Torqe 05
40^th Airlift Squadron
Dyess AFB, Texas

Howard W. Leaf Award
For outstanding achievement by an U.S. Air Force test team engaged in test and evaluation of a defense acquisition program
A-10C Precision Engagement Operational Test Team
Nellis AFB, Nevada

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Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Awards

Chief Master Sergeant Dick Red Award
For exceptional technical expertise in aircraft maintenance.
Senior Master Sergeant Kerry A. James
176^th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Alaska Air National Guard

Earl T. Ricks Award
For the Air National Guard person or persons for outstanding airmanship
The Aircrew of TORQE 95
Stationed at Bagram AB, Afghanistan

Air National Guard Outstanding Unit Award
For the Air National Guard Unit with the most outstanding airmanship
148^th Fighter Wing
Minnesota Air National Guard

George W. Bush Award for ANG Members and Employers
To recognize outstanding civilian employers of Air National Guard members who made outstanding contributions to the total force mission

President's Award for Air Force Reserve Command
For the AF Reserve unit which displays outstanding flying achievement and continued superior performance
Team McChord
446^th Airlift Wing
McChord AFB, Washington

Air Force Reserve Unit Award
For the Air Force Reserve Unit which displays superior performance and outstanding achievements
336th Air Refueling Squadron
March ARB, California