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The Minnesota National Guard honored their 2026 ‘Outstanding Airmen of the Year’ and Soldiers deemed the ‘Best Warriors,’ during a ceremony in St. Paul on June 18, 2026. The Soldiers earned the respective titles of Minnesota National Guard ‘Soldier of the Year’ and ‘Noncommissioned Officer of the Year’ during the Best Warrior Competition at Camp Ripley in April, where competitors traversed over 23 miles and conducted 27 different events designed to replicate real world combat scenarios. The ‘Outstanding Airmen of the Year’ were selected following competitive boards, scrutinized on their professionalism, job performance, physical fitness, self-development, community service, and adherence to the Air Force core values.
Minnesota National Guard’s 2026 Airmen of the Year are:
Air Force Capt. Kaitlyn Brenner - from Duluth.
Air Force Master Sgt. Sarah Fleissner - from Duluth.
Air Force Master Sgt. Elizabeth Mahmood - from Mahtomedi.
Air Force Technical Sgt. Jordan Heinecke - from Cumberland, Wisc.
Airman 1st Class Cole Kottke - from Inver Grove Heights.
Minnesota National Guard’s 2026 Best Warriors are:
Army Staff Sgt. John Parsons - from Dawson.
Army Spc. Thomas Ogdahl - from Cambridge.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2026 11:30 |
| Photo ID: | 9767330 |
| VIRIN: | 260618-Z-BR869-1005 |
| Resolution: | 3551x2536 |
| Size: | 2.53 MB |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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