Steele Chapter Honors 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

AFA’s D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter hosted its “Salute to Service” event on September 23, a continuation of AFA’s formal recognition of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference. 

The event provided an informal and inspiring opportunity for the 12 enlisted honorees and their guests to connect with senior Air Force and AFA leaders, industry representatives, and community partners. More than two dozen Community Partners supported this year’s celebration, helping the Steele Chapter raise funds to expand STEM education programs in middle and high schools throughout Northern Virginia.

Distinguished attendees included Rich Anderson, the newly confirmed Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and an active member of the Steele Chapter. Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen McCool, Command Chief of Pacific Air Forces, also attended, calling the event “prime opportunity” to honor the enlisted corps and unite them to AFA.

“I encouraged our Outstanding Airmen to stay engaged with AFA and to remember they represent our entire enlisted force,” she said. “Giving back through AFA has been a powerful catalyst in my own career and relationships.”

 “This salute allows us to recognize excellence while investing in the future—supporting STEM initiatives that strengthen the next generation of America’s Airmen, Guardians, and innovators,” said Steele Chapter President Darian “DJ” Padilla.