Air, Space & Cyber 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.

View the 2017 recipients

This award recognizes 12 outstanding enlisted personnel for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements. AFA honors the 12 Outstanding Airmen at its annual Air, Space & Cyber convention in Washington, D.C. The program was initiated at the Air Force Association's 10th Annual National Conference, held in New Orleans in 1956. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, a general officer, and selected MAJCOM command chiefs make up the selection board. The Air Force Chief of Staff reviews the selections. 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. Guidelines for submissions are outlined in Air Force Instruction 36-2805.

View the 2018 Outstanding Airman of the Year

2019 National Aerospace Award Recipients

H. H. Arnold Award
For the most significant contribution by a military member to national defense
Gen Ellen Pawlikowski, USAF (Ret.)

List of previous recipients

W. Stuart Symington Award
For the most significant contribution by a civilian to national defense
Heather Wilson

List of previous recipients

John R. Alison Award
For the most outstanding contribution by industrial leadership to national defense
Draken International

List of previous recipients

David C. Schilling Award
For the most outstanding contribution to the field of flight
MQ-9 Operators

Theodore von Karman Award
For the most outstanding contribution to the field of science and engineering
Kessel Run

Gill Robb Wilson Award
For the most outstanding contribution to the field of arts and letters
Cold Blue Production Team

Thomas P. Gerrity Award
For the most outstanding contribution to the field of systems and logistics
Maj Timothy Foster
Spangdahlem AB, Germany

Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault Award
For outstanding aerial warfare tactician(s) from ACC, PACAF, USAFE, ANG and AFRC
Maj Jeffrey Entine Eglin AFB, FL

General Larry D. Welch Award-Officer
For the most significant impact by an individual on the overall operations, safety, security, and effectiveness of the Air Force nuclear mission
Col Jason Bartolomei
Hill AFB, UT

General Larry D. Welch Award-Enlisted
For the most significant impact by an individual on the overall operations, safety, security, and effectiveness of the Air Force nuclear mission
SMSgt Thomas Podgorski
Whiteman AFB, MO

General Larry D. Welch Award-Civilian
For the most significant impact by an individual on the overall operations, safety, security, and effectiveness of the Air Force nuclear mission
Scott Bagnell
Offutt AFB, NM

General George C. Kenney Award
For the most significant contribution by an individual or team in the area of lessons learned
3rd Space Experimentation Squadron Weapons and Tactics Flight
Schriever AFB, CO

For the outstanding contribution of an individual or organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind.

2018 Winners:

18th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Kadena AB, Japan

706th Fighter Squadron
Nellis AFB, NV

Col Frederick Coleman & Lt Col Keith Anderson
MacDill AFB, FL

Capt Roland Neal & Capt Phillip Huebner
Columbus AFB, MS

General Atomics
San Diego, CA

HOWARD W. LEAF AWARD
For outstanding achievement by a United States Air Force test team engaged in the test and evaluation of a defense acquisition program
AMCTES Strategic Airlift Test Team
JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ

LT GEN WILLIAM H. TUNNER AWARD
For the most outstanding airlift crew in the United States Air Force
Crew of MOOSE 69
JB Charleston, South Carolina

BRIG GEN ROSS G. HOYT AWARD
For the best air refueling crew (Active, ANG or Reserve) in the United States Air Force
Crew of Pyton 61
McConnell AFB, KS

GEN JOHN P. JUMPER AWARD-PILOT
For the most outstanding remotely piloted aircraft crew in the United States Air Force
Capt Ryan Perhala
Nellis AFB, Nevada

GEN JOHN P. JUMPER AWARD-SENSOR OPERATOR
For the most outstanding remotely piloted aircraft crew in the United States Air Force
SMSgt Joshua Sjoholm
Ellsworth AFB, SD

GEN JOHN P. JUMPER AWARD-MISSION INTEL COORDINATOR
For the most outstanding remotely piloted aircraft crew in the United States Air Force
SrA Darius Rivera
Ellsworth AFB, SD

GEN CURTIS E. LEMAY AWARD
For the best overall bomber crew in the United States Air Force
Crew of HAWK 91
28th Bomb Squadron
Dyess AFB, TX

GEN THOMAS S. POWER AWARD
For the best overall missile crew in the United States Air Force
Lt Austin Van Hoesen & Lt Jedediah Simpson
FE Warren AFB, Wyoming

BEST SPACE OPERATIONS CREW AWARD
For the best overall space operations crew in the United States Air Force
Deployed Space Electronics Warfare Crew
Patrick AFB, FL

AIRBORNE BATTLE MANAGEMENT CREW OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the outstanding AWACs or Joint STARS aircrew’s battle management contribution to the United States Air Force and air power
128th ACCS Combat Crew 8
Robins AFB, Georgia

BAVA HUMANITARIAN AIRLIFT MISSION OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the most outstanding humanitarian airlift mission

36th Airlift Squadron
Yokota AB, Japan

EARL T. RICKS AWARD
For the Air National Guard person or persons for outstanding airmanship
Lt Col Bryan Meek
179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron
JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT DICK RED AWARD
For outstanding Air National Guard aerospace maintenance
TSgt Kaisha Gurtner Hatton
140th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Buckley AFB, CO

AIR NATIONAL GUARD OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARD
For the Air National Guard Unit with the most outstanding airmanship
148th Fighter Wing
Minnesota Air National Guard

GEORGE W. BUSH AWARD for ANG Members and Employers
To recognize outstanding civilian employers of Air National Guard members who made outstanding contributions to the total force mission

Enlisted Category
Not Awarded for 2019

Officer Category
Not Awarded for 2019

PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND
For the Air Force Reserve unit which displays outstanding flying achievement and continued superior performance
Capt Charles Phelps
Whiteman AFB, MO

AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT AWARD
For the Air Force Reserve Unit which displays superior performance and outstanding achievements
926th Wing
Nellis AFB. NV

CITIZEN AIRMEN AWARDS
To recognize outstanding civilian employers of the Air Force Reserve members who made outstanding contributions to the total force mission

Officer Category

Maj Sonja Demuth
Lockheed Martin Space

Enlisted Category

Not awarded for 2019

CHAPLAIN CORPS AWARD
For outstanding performance by a member of the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps
Not awarded in 2019

PAUL W. MYERS AWARD
For the Air Force Medical Corps Officer who has made the most significant contribution to the continued good health of the men and women of the United States Air Force
Maj David Dy
Patrick AFB, FL

STUART R. REICHART AWARD
For the most outstanding achievement in the field of law within the United States Air Force
Colonel Rebecca Vernon
Hurlburt Field, Fl

VERNE ORR AWARD
For the best utilization of human resources in the United States Air Force
1st Special Operations Group
Hurlburth Field, Fl

CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE THOMAS N. BARNES AWARD
For the most outstanding aircraft crew chief in the United States Air Force
SSgt Brandon Deem
18th Aircraft Maintenace Squadron
Kadena AB, Japan

OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN SENIOR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Mrs. Connie Davis
Tinker AFB, OK

OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Mr. Brian Bumgardner
Eglin AFB, FL

OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN PROGRAM SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
Mrs. Olamarie Sheen
Ramstein AB, Germany

OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN WAGE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Mr. Steven Fox
Tinker AFB, OK

LISA DISBROW OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN AWARD
Mr. Leroy Coe
Pentagon, Washington, D.C

JOAN ORR AIR FORCE SPOUSE OF THE YEAR AWARD
For civilian spouses of military members for their significant contributions to the United States Air Force
Mrs. Elizabeth DuBe
United States Air Forces in Europe
Kadena AB, Japan

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

Executive Division
Col Jason Bartolomei
Hill AFB, UT

Middle Division
Lt Col Stuart Menn
Holloman AFB, NM

Junior Division
Capt Joseph Myers
Robins AFB, GA

GEN EDWIN W. RAWLINGS AWARD (MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICIAN CATEGORIES)
For outstanding achievements in the field of environmental conservation within the United States Air Force

Management
Christopher Brewster
Davis Monthan AFB, AZ

Technician
SSgt Michael Bagley
Peterson AFB, CO

AFA CHAIRMAN’S AEROSPACE EDUCATION AWARD
For long term commitment to aerospace education making a significant impact across the nation
AFJROTC

OUTSTANDING ROTC CADET OF THE YEAR
Cadet Savannah Johnson
Detachment 410
University of St. Thomas

OUTSTANDING USAFA CADET OF THE YEAR
Cadet Gordon McCulloh
USAFA

OUTSTANDING JROTC CADET OF THE YEAR
Cadet Sydney Cloutier
FL-012
Pensacola High School

CIVIL AIR PATROL AEROSPACE EDUCATION CADET OF THE YEAR
Cadet Annika Walukas
Eau Claire Composite Squadron