LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

AFA's Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made contributions to the advancement of aerospace power throughout their lifetimes. AFA ensures that great accomplishments of the past continue to be recognized and continue to inspire our airmen now and in the future. These awards are presented at national AFA events including the Air, Space & Cyber Conference and the AFA Warfare Symposium.

The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include:

  • Dr. Paul Kaminski
  • Pioneers of Red Flag, presented to Lt. Gen. Glen "Wally" Moorhead, USAF (Ret.)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lt. Gen. Glen "Wally" Moorhead, USAF (Ret.) accepts AFA's Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the Pioneers of Red Flag during the 2023 Air, Space and Cyber Conference

 

OUTSTANDING AIRMEN OF THE YEAR

2023 OAYs
Group shot of the 2023 Outstanding Airmen of the Year with their spouses, partners, and parents posing with U.S. Air Force leadership, Air & Space Forces Association leadership, and leaders of industry partners.

This award recognizes 12 outstanding enlisted personnel for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements. AFA honors the 12 Outstanding Airmen at our annual Air, Space & Cyber convention in Washington, D.C.

The program was initiated at AFA's 10th Annual National Conference, held in New Orleans in 1956. The 12 Outstanding Airmen are awarded the Outstanding Airman ribbon with the bronze service star and wear the Outstanding Airman badge for one year. They also serve on the Air Force Enlisted Council for one year.

OAY

 

We are pleased to recognize the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2023:

NATIONAL AIR & SPACE AWARDS

2023 National Aerospace Award Recipients

H. H. Arnold Award
For the most significant contribution by a military member to national defense 
Gen. Glen VanHerck


W. Stuart Symington Award
For the most significant contribution by a civilian to national defense
The Honorable Frank Kendall


John R. Alison Award
For the most outstanding contribution by industrial leadership to national defense
Neal & Linden Blue

2023 Alison Award
Neal and Linden Blue accept the 2023 AFA Alison Award for their pioneering innovations in the field of sensor-shooter UAVs and lifetime dedication to national defense.


O'Malley Space Visionary Leadership Award
For the most outstanding contribution by leadership to national defense space operations and missions 
Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton


Citation of Honor
For the dedicated service and contributions to national defense over a sustained period of time
Gen. (ret.) Philip Breedlove

 

SERVICE AWARDS

BAVA Award - 437th Airlift Wing
Members of the 437th Airlift Wing receive the 2023 BAVA Award recognizing their meritorious service providing humanitarian and disaster relief in Pakistan. They conducted the first U.S. mission into Begum Nusrat Bhutto Airport Sukkar since 20210, navigating an unfamiliar and difficult airfield in order to provide lifesaving aide to more than 33 million Pakistanis.


 

*Nominations for AFA National Air & Space Awards are solicited from the United States Air Force, United States Space Force, members and leaders of AFA, the aerospace industry, and U.S. citizens or organizations which have a deep interest in aerospace activities.