AFA Massachusetts Recognizes State’s Top 5 Airmen

AFA’s Massachusetts State organization, in conjunction with its Boston-area Minuteman Chapter, recognized the “Top 5 Massachusetts Airmen” of 2024 at an awards dinner on January 25, 2025, at the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown, Mass. 

This was AFA Massachusetts’ eighth year hosting and presenting the award, which recognizes a handful of Airmen who embody the Air Force mission across Massachusetts and demonstrate the importance of the Total Force. It serves as an excellent opportunity for AFA to illustrate how its mission to Advocate, Educate, and Support embraces Airmen and Guardians in the Active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard.

Airmen were nominated by their respective commanders and selected by AFA Massachusetts based on performance, contributions to the Air Force mission, and community support. Nominations came from installations across the state, including Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford.; Joint Base Cape Cod in Bourne; Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee; and Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.

More than 70 Air Force leaders, coworkers, and family members attended, including keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Joseph Morrissey, Jr., Chief of Staff and Air Component Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.

In addition to the AFA members from the Minuteman Chapter, the event planning and execution team included AFROTC and Arnold Air Society cadets from Boston University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The primary sponsors were USAA, GEICO, and Torrington Properties, a Community Partner of the AFA Minuteman Chapter.

Meet the winners of 2024 Top 5 Massachusetts Airmen below.

Senior Master Sgt. Rachael Jacobs

Superintendent of Logistics, Plans, and Integration, 102d Logistics Readiness Squadron

102d Intelligence Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base

During this past year, Jacobs managed the 102d Intelligence Wing’s deployment and execution planning. Leading up to the Wing’s agile combat employment, she coordinated more than 120 taskings with the National Guard Bureau Mobilization Cell, Functional Managers, and various AORs. This resulted in the six-month deployments of 12 units supporting 38 Air Force Specialty Codes to 11 countries spanning five continents across six geographic combatant commands. She led the Wing through a high-quality, effective inspection that tested the unit’s ability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission sets while simultaneously exercising the ability to deploy 100 Airmen to austere conditions to perform mission essential tasks for the first time in 102d Intelligence Wing history.

Jacobs supports the Otis Air National Guard through her leadership involvement in councils and professional organizations. She is currently the President of the Top 3 Council, which aims to foster leadership, mentorship, and professional development for enlisted members assigned to the 102d Intelligence Wing. Her activism even extends to the local community: As a volunteer for Outsider Endurance — a triathlon organization that supports about a dozen different charities to include Big Brother Big Sister, Demolay Middleboro, Mercy Meals, and Girl Scouts — Jacobs volunteers her time to the organization that raises funds, increases visibility and supports many local charities.

Master Sgt. Kevin Pechie

Hydraulic Element Supervisor, 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base

As Element Chief, Pechie was directly responsible for the supervision, training, and mentoring of 13 aircraft maintenance personnel. Under his leadership, the section supported the generation of 565 C-5 sorties, boasting 2,409 flying hours while supporting Operation Spartan Shield as well as countless additional missions in direct support of our nation’s defense. Despite strict financial constraints paired with limited technician availability, Pechie’s team completed 374 maintenance actions, including two Program Depot Maintenance overfly inspections, circumventing 9.5 months of C-5 aircraft downtime, while saving more than $3 million in FY24 DOD expenses.

Pechie also showcased exceptional leadership when appointed as the Team Chief for temporary duty operations to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Coordinating with the Regional Training Center, his calculated oversight enabled the 25- and 27-member teams to lead nine individual training events, certifying 35 C-5M specific maintenance tasks for over 50 Active-Duty Airmen. Outside of the workplace, Pechie is a dedicated husband and father, and a positive figure in the community. As a Habitat for Humanity and Habitat ReStore member, he volunteered more than 80 hours to unloading freight trucks, stocking inventory, and providing construction labor for three separate houses. His efforts assisted the association in providing affordable and safe housing to low income and veteran families.

Master Sgt. Raymond Rocheleau

Superintendent of the Standardization and Evaluation Section, 66th Security Forces Squadron

66th Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB

Rocheleau provides timely and accurate advice directly to the unit commander on all security related aspects pertaining to mission performance and readiness for 149 military and civilian personnel.  Prior to his selection as Superintendent, Rocheleau was a Squadron Flight Chief. He was charged with leading daily operations for 39 military and civilian law enforcement specialists. In this critical position, he was responsible for protecting 12,000 base personnel and $6 billion in mission essential assets dispersed across the 846-acre multi-jurisdictional installation.

As a proven tactical leader, Rocheleau was selected to deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to the 443d Air Expeditionary Squadron, 387th Air Expeditionary Group, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. In this volatile environment, Rocheleau led his team through persistent enemy attacks while personally exposing himself to grave danger as he engaged in military operations against the opposing armed forces of Da’esh & Iranian Affiliated Militia Groups. His combat expertise was vital to Tactical Operations Center effectiveness as he directed response forces against 66 hostile unmanned aerial vehicle attacks and indirect rocket and close-range ballistic missile strikes. His masterful command and control of multi-national forces and assets mitigated damage to infrastructure and prevented the loss of coalition lives, and was key to his section earning the Air Expeditionary Squadron’s Team of the Quarter Award.

Staff Sgt. Hannah Jones-Trudeau

Public Health Journeyman, 104th Medical Group

104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base

Jones-Trudeau spearheaded efforts to operationalize the 104th Medical Group’s knowledge and roles in future potential conflicts while enhancing overall military readiness. She identified a training gap in the public health section, and designed a complex two-day off-site exercise for Public Health and Bioenvironmental Engineering. This off-site focused on real-world medical site assessment and relocation, which accomplished never-before-executed Comprehensive Medical Readiness Program deployment tasks and Career Field Education and Training Plan requirements.

Following completion of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Tier II course, Jones-Trudeau completed follow-on training to become a certified TCCC Instructor and has since trained 250 Barnes pre-deployment members. Her attention to detail, and vast knowledge of public health, professionally captured key readiness requirements for 18 members of multiple Medical Groups within the Wing and across the region. Her contributions to medical documentations and disease tracking have had a direct impact on the 996 wing members ensuring accurate records management and patient safety. Additionally, her ability to step outside of her specialty skillset highlights her diverse abilities to train on life saving skills, enhancing wing survivability and lethality for personnel preparing to deploy down-range.

Jones-Trudeau also supports her community as a board member for the town of Granby’s non-profit Friends of the Library.  She raises funds used to sponsor free reading and educational events for town residents.

Senior Airman Brandyn DeLong

Security Response Team Leader, 6th Space Warning Squadron

Space Delta 4, Cape Cod Space Force Station

DeLong was No. 1 of 19 individuals selected to lead the six-member team as a Flight Sergeant — a role typically filled by a higher-ranking non-commissioned officer. He directed 24/7 security operations for 135 military, civilian, and contracted personnel while also responsible for the defense of North America’s only $350 million, upgraded early warning Radar. Under his leadership and management, the team developed seven quick reaction checklists and revised an additional 37.  These actions improved armed response procedures and techniques as well as adding layers of defense for one of the Air Force’s highest priority assets.

DeLong was hand-selected to provide security for Air Force One during the President’s trip to Martha’s Vineyard. He also led his unit’s electronic security system program, monitoring 351 alarm points and coordinating the security upgrade for 24 perimeter cameras.

DeLong is actively involved in the local community. He was the unit’s spokesman for the 319th Recruiting Squadron where he briefed eight flights and 84 recruiters across six New England states.  His participation and expertise enhanced and augmented recruiting capabilities resulting in multiple new Air Force recruits. The Space Delta 4 Commander recognized him for his performance. DeLong also marketed the unit’s Angel Tree Project where he coordinated with the Salvation Army to enhance donations for underprivileged children’s holiday presents.

Congratulations to all five of these outstanding Massachusetts Airmen!