ST. PAUL, Minn.- More than 150 airmen, students, family members, and friends gathered at the Town and Country Club to honor the award recipients at this year’s Air Force Association’s Awards Dinner.
The Air Force Association (AFA) is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association that is dedicated to supporting the Air Force and aerospace education through joint efforts of committed AFA members, donors, organizations, and corporations.
Every year, AFA honors the outstanding achievements of the men and women throughout the U.S. Air Force, government, academia, and aerospace industry through AFA’s National Aerospace Awards Program.
“What is AFA about, surely it’s about being there for our airmen and their families,” said Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, executive vice president of the Air Force Association. “But, at the end of the day it comes down to making sure our Airman have the right tools and resources to go out there and fly, fight, and win!”
Friday’s event recognized the 133rd Airlift Wing’s Outstanding Airman on the Year which were:
Airman:
Senior Airman Lindsey Longtine
133rd Medical Group
NCO:
Tech. Sgt. Ashley Ingvalson
133rd Communications Flight
Senior NCO:
Master Sgt. Jessica Todd
133rd Force Support Squadron
1st Sgt:
Master Sgt. Ryan Fenton
133rd Logistics Readiness Squadron
These airmen were not the only one’s recognized, many JROTC, ROTC, Civil Air Patrol, Rawlings Chapter Teacher of the Year, as well as Outstanding Airmen of the Year from the 934th Airlift Wing were also honored for their achievements over the past year.
“Looking at the awardees’ standing before me tonight, ladies and gentlemen we have some of the best and brightest this generation provides, and I don’t think our nations seen that before,” said Newton. “I feel good and I feel proud about it.”