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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2006
Air Force Reservists and Employers Get National Salute
Arlington, Virginia – Air Force Reservists and Employers of reservists will receive Air Force
Association awards on September 25, 2006 at the Air & Space Conference 2006 Opening and Awards Ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
The Citizen Airman Awards are given to a traditional Air Force Reserve officer and enlisted member
and their civilian employers in honor of all Air Force Reserve members serving the nation.
Capt. William C. McLeod, aircraft maintenance officer, 442nd Maintenance Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.,
and his civilian employer, Aquila, Inc, Kansas City, Mo., represented by Jim Alberts, will be recognized. During Captain Mcleod’s
deployment to Turkmenistan in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, Aquila provided support to his family including
supplemental benefits, salary and leave days. They also sent care packages to Turkmenistan.
Chief Master Sgt. Joe Cholopisa Jr., first sergeant, 301st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, naval
Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas, and his civilian employer, Deen Meat and Cooked Foods, Fort Worth, Texas,
will also receive the Citizen Airman Award. The chief master sergeant volunteered to deploy to Balad Air Base, Iraq with members
from all four reserve F-16 units in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His civilian employers, company president, Danny Deen,
and vice president, Craig Deen, provided family support briefings and assistance and donated food to ten special support events.
The Citizen Airman Award includes a $500 AFA check and plaque. The Air Force Reserve will also provide a
large ceramic eagle to the employers.
Additional Reserve awards scheduled for presentation include the Outstanding Reserve Unit of the
Year Award to the 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., and the AFA President’s Award – recognizing the
outstanding Reserve aircrew, the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, St. Joseph, Mo.
The 482nd Fighter Wing distinguished itself throughout 2005 executing Aerospace Expeditionary
Force initiatives and taskings in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In their nomination, they were credited with
exceeding all mission objectives and making exceptional achievements.
The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, which alternates its unit command between the Air
Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard, is dedicated to increasing the war fighting effectiveness and survivability of
forces through superior tactics and training. They are being recognized as a leader in the development and instruction of air
mobility combat tactics and employment of mobility air forces.
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For more information, contact Lynette Cross, Air Force Association at (703) 247.5800, Ext 4807 or
email: lcross@afa.org.
The Air Force Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that educates the
public about the critical role of aerospace power in the defense of our nation, advocates aerospace power and a strong
national defense, and supports the United States Air Force and the Air Force family. AFA has more than 230 chapters
nationally and internationally representing more than 130,000 members. Visit AFA on the internet at www.afa.org.
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