FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFA Announces 2006 National Aerospace and Specialty Awards

Arlington, Va., June 29, 2006 – The new Air Force Association (AFA) which recently merged with its long time affiliate, the Aerospace Education Foundation (AEF) has announced award recipients for its annual national awards program. Individuals receiving recognition include: retired Air Force General Lance Lord, Dr. Ronald D. Sugar, Chairman and CEO for Northrop Grumman Corp., and posthumously to both architect Jim Freed of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and aviation legend Scott Crossfield.

The above individuals and their representatives will be invited to award presentations during AFA’s 2006 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exhibition scheduled for September 25 -27, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. Some of the other awards (listed below) will be presented locally.

“The Air Force Association is proud to recognize the many outstanding men and women throughout the U.S. Air Force, government, academia and the aerospace industry who excelled in performing their duties in support of national defense,” said AFA Chairman of the Board Pat Condon. “We will also recognize our many AFA volunteers at both state and chapters levels who support our nation’s Air Force.”

“Whether deployed overseas fighting the War on Terrorism or helping deliver humanitarian aid in the aftermath of natural disasters, the Air Force team of civilians, active-duty members, Guardsmen, Reservists and contractors always respond with excellence,” Condon said. “It is this type of outstanding achievement, service and commitment that continues to make our Air Force and nation strong. “

The Air Force Association is also celebrating its 60th Anniversary, dating back to its establishment on February 4, 1946 when General Jimmy Doolittle, noted aviation pioneer and Medal of Honor recipient, served as AFA’s first national president. At the time, Doolittle took a year off from his job as vice president at Shell Oil Company to set up AFA chapters around the country. AFA is a 501c(3) charitable educational organization that can receive tax-deductible donations.

The award recipients are:

H. H. Arnold Award
For most significant contribution by a military member for national defense
Gen. Lance Lord
Former Commander, Air Force Space Command
Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

John R. Alison Award
For industrial leadership for national defense
Dr. Ronald D. Sugar
Chairman and CEO
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Los Angeles, Calif.

Gill Robb Wilson Award
For outstanding contribution in the field of Arts and Letters
James (Jim) Ingo Freed (Posthumously)
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Architects LLP, New York, N.Y.
Designers of the Air Force Memorial

Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award
For most outstanding contribution in the field of Aerospace Education
Albert Scott Crossfield (Posthumously)
Aviator, Test pilot, Engineer, Businessman
Herndon, Va.

David C. Schilling Award
For most outstanding contribution in the field of flight
354th Fighter Squadron
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

Theodore von Karman Award
For most outstanding contribution in the field of science and engineering
Integrated Avionics Test Facility Team
Det. 2, 28th Test Squadron
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Thomas P. Gerrity Award
For outstanding contribution in the field of systems and logistics
Lt. Col. Maurice McDonald
Commander, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron
Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

Department of Veterans Affairs Employee of the Year
For the most outstanding performance of duty as a VA employee
Alan Sumitomo
National Cemetery of the Pacific
Honolulu, Hawaii

Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault Award
For outstanding aerial warfare tactician
Capt. David Berkland
Squadron Weapons Officer
4th Fighter Squadron
Hill Air Force Base, Utah

Citations of Honor (10)
For the most outstanding contribution by an individual or organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind. The award recognizes contributions to national defense, significantly exceeding standard performance.

Mr. Eugenio G. Pino
NORAD-US NORTHCOM
Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Mr. David K. Russell
US STRATCOM
Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Graves
Eight Information Warfare Flight
Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
(now assigned to 314th OSS, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ariz.)

Capt. Bernard R. Sprute
48th Security Forces Squadron
Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England

437th and 315th Maintenance Groups
Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

HAF/XOOC “CHECKMATE”
Air Force Pentagon
Washington, District of Columbia

614th Space Operations Squadron
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

8th Special Operations Squadron
Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

309th Aircraft Maintenance Group
Hill Air Force Base, Utah

22d Security Forces Squadron
McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

Crew Awards

Brig. Gen. Ross G. Hoyt Award
For the best air refueling crew
Crew of GUTS 31
8th Special Operations Squadron MC-130E
Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Gen. Curtis E. LeMay Award
For the best overall bomber aircrew in the Air Force
Crew of DOOM 02
9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron
7th Bomb Wing
Dyess Air Force Base, Texas

Gen. Jerome F. O’Malley Award
For the best reconnaissance crew in the U.S. Air Force
RC-135 RIVET JOINT Crew of GUSS 01 comprised of
Aircrew members from the:
488th Intelligence Squadron, U.S. Air Forces Europe;
343d Reconnaissance Squadron, 97th Intelligence Squadron, and
55th Operations Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Gen. Thomas S. Power Award
For the best overall combat missile crew
Flight Crew S-200
Capt. David S. Bristo
Capt. Eric J. Ward
Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

Best Space Operations Crew Award
For the best overall space operations crew in the U.S. Air Force
STS-114 Return to Flight Crew
45th Space Wing
Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner Award
For the most outstanding airlift crew in the Air Force
Crew of Talon 04
15th Special Operations Squadron
Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Test & Evaluation Team of the Year Award
For outstanding achievement by an U.S. Air Force test team engaged in test and evaluation of a defense program
Multi-Aircraft Control Ground Control Station Test Team
Predator Systems Squadron, Reconnaissance Systems Wing
Aeronautical Systems Center
Wright-Patterson AIR Force Base, Ohio

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Award
For the outstanding aircrew chief in the U.S. Air Force
Staff Sgt. James L. Briscoe
Flying Crew Chief
Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

Gen Billy Mitchell Award for C4 Excellence
For C4 professional who most enhanced the Air Force’s war-fighting capability
Capt. David M. Canady, Jr.
31st Combat Communications Squadron
Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

Professional and Civilian Awards

Paul W. Myers Award
For Air Force Medical Corps Officer who has made most significant contribution to the continued good health of the men and women of the Air Force
Lt. Col. David L. Smith
Chief of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology
59th Medical Wing
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

Verne Orr Award
For best utilization of human resources in the U.S. Air Force
50th Operations Support Squadron
Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.

Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award
For spouses of military members for significant contributions to the Air Force
Mrs. Doris M. Lankford
Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

Juanita Redmond Award
For Air Force nurse who has provided a significant contribution to Air Force health care
1st Lt. Julio Cano
Clinical Nurses, Emergency Services
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.

Stuart R. Reichart Award
For most outstanding achievement in field of law within U.S. Air Force by senior attorney
Mr. James W. Russell III
Assistant Chief, Military Justice Division, USAF Judiciary
Military Justice Division
Air Force Legal Services Agency
Bolling Air Force Base, District of Columbia

Chaplain Service Award
For outstanding performance by a member of the USAF Chaplain Service
Staff Sgt. Daniel T. Krautheim
Chaplain Assistant, 37th Training Wing
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

U.S. Air Force Personnel Manager Award
For outstanding performance while serving in the U.S. Air Force
Capt. Casey J. Vile
Chief, Personnel Relocations & Employment
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

Outstanding Civilian Employees
For achievements by Air Force civilian employees in four categories
Civilian Senior Manager of the Year
Ms. Monique F. Botting
Chief, Civilian Personnel
Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Civilian Program Manager of the Year
Mr. William H. Grozdanich
Training Manager
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

Civilian Program Specialist of the Year
Ms. Kathryn A. Burge
Chief, Operations Plans
Vance Air Force Base, Okla.

Civilian Wage Employee of the Year
Mr. Michael E. Hartsfield
Pest Controller
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

Management and Environmental Achievement Awards

Air Force Management Awards
For outstanding contributions to management while assigned to Air Force Materiel Command

Executive Division
Col. Robert M. Stambaugh
Vice Commander
Air Force Security Assistance Center
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Middle Division
Mr. Kevin G. O’Connor
76th Aircraft Maintenance Group
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

Junior Division
1st Lt William C. Williams
Air Force Security Assistance Center
555th International Group
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Gen Edwin W. Rawlings Award (Management and Technician Categories)
For outstanding achievement in the field of environmental conservation
Management:
Mr. Badar U. Habib
Chemical Engineer
Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

Technician:
Tech. Sgt Jeffrey S. Hemly
56th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Luke Air Force Base Ariz.

Educational Awards

Outstanding ROTC Cadet of the Year
Cadet Patrick O’Dell
Detachment 675
University of Oklahoma
Norman, Okla.

Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Cadet of the Year
Cadet Lt. Col. Haley Blevins
Lexington Park, Md.

Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Awards
(Complete list of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Awards to include George W. Bush and Citizen Airman Awards and Outstanding Reserve Unit Flying Wing Award will be announced at later date).

Air National Guard Unit Award
For outstanding airmanship
148th Fighter Wing
Minnesota Air National Guard

Contact: Lynette Cross
lcross@afa.org
703-247-5800, Ext. 4807

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