FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota Air National Guard, known as the "Happy Hooligans," will recognize the "best of the best" during the 2013 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday in Moorhead, Minn.
Fifteen airmen have been nominated for the award based on their military and civic service during 2013, and the winners will be named during the banquet.
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, will speak during the evening, which also includes awards for First Sergeant of the Year and Unit Career Advisor of the Year. The banquet will conclude with guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, the eleventh command chief master sergeant of the entire Air National Guard.
Five airmen have been nominated in each of three rank-affiliated categories. Each nominee rose to the top of board interviews to be named the best in their individual squadron before advancing to the North Dakota Air National Guard-wide level.
Nominees in the Outstanding Airmen of the Year category are:
* Staff Sgt. Kyle Ames, of Fargo, N.D., works as a full-time technician in financial management and is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance.
* Staff Sgt. Shelly Pherson, of Fargo, N.D., works in air transportation for the 119th Wing. Pherson is also an improvisation artist with Linebenders Improv Comedy and a gymnastics coach at American Gold.
* Senior Airman Dylan Lorenzen, of Glyndon, Minn., works as a mission intelligence coordinator for the 119th Wing. Lorenzen volunteers as a high school and elementary school wrestling coach.
* Airman 1st Class Lucas Paper, of Fargo, N.D., works as a security officer at the 219th Security Forces Squadron in Minot, N.D. Paper is a student at North Dakota State University, where he is pursuing a degree in political science and business administration. He works part-time and volunteers for a number of organizations on and off campus.
* Airman 1st Class Ashley Seitz, of Fargo, N.D., works as a knowledge operations manager for the 119th Wing. Seitz is studying marketing at North Dakota State University.
Nominees in the Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year category are:
* Master Sgt. Benjamen Ehrichs, of Grand Forks, N.D., works in medical administration. Ehrichs is currently a student in the pre-pharmacy program at North Dakota State University.
* Tech Sgt. Anthony Davis, of Davenport, N.D., works in the 119th Wing's Operations Squadron. Davis is a volunteer fireman for the Davenport Fire Department and a member of the Davenport City Council.
* Staff Sgt. Andrew Forvarp, of Moorhead, Minn., works as a member of the 119th Wing's Security Forces Squadron. Forvarp is a corrections officer for the Clay County Sheriff's Office, and he is currently attending the police academy in Alexandria, Minn.
* Staff Sgt. Andrew Jones, of Fargo, N.D., works as a crew chief in the 119th Wings Operations Squadron. Jones is an avid outdoorsman, and he works on his family's farm in Moorhead, Minn., where he deals with heavy equipment operation and repair.
* Staff Sgt. Travis Kane, of Minot, N.D., serves as the personnel reliability program manager for the Minot, N.D.-based 219th Security Forces Squadron. Kane serves on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity - Northern Lights Chapter.
Nominees in the Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year category are:
* Senior Master Sgt. Robert Schreiner, of Harwood, N.D., works as the full-time aircraft expeditor/production supervisor in the 119th Wing's Maintenance Squadron. Schreiner also serves as a member of the City of Harwood Flood Committee, Rivertree Park Association and Fargo Airshow Committee.
* Master Sgt. Tanya Augdahl, of West Fargo, N.D., works full-time as the 119th Wing's Retention Office manager. Augdahl is a Master of Business Administration, and she volunteers with the Salvation Army among other organizations.
* Master Sgt. Adam Dewey, of Karlsruhe, N.D., works as the full-time training manager for the Minot, N.D.-based 219th Security Forces Squadron. Dewey volunteers as a member of the Karlsruhe zoning board.
* Master Sgt. Toby Eiter, of Lake Park, Minn., works for the 119th Wing's Intelligence Squadron. Eiter works full-time at Windsor Sales, and he volunteers as a Cub Scout den leader, elementary basketball coach, member of the North Dakota Air National Guard Enlisted Association.
* Master Sgt. Sara Hagenbeck, of Moorhead, Minn., works as a aerospace medical technician for the 119th Wing's Medical Group. Hagenbeck works full-time as a medical administrative contractor with the Medical Group, and she volunteers at S.G. Reinertsen Elementary School.
WHAT: 2013 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 1.
Note: Winners will be announced after dinner, speakers and multimedia presentations, around 8:15 p.m.
WHERE: Courtyard by Marriott, 1080 28th Ave. S., Moorhead, Minn.
MEDIA: No precoordination required. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Dave Lipp at 701-451-2254.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2014 18:53 |
| Story ID: | 121280 |
| Location: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | DAVENPORT, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | GLYNDON, MINNESOTA, US |
| Hometown: | GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | HARWOOD, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | KARLSRUHE, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | LAKE PARK, MINNESOTA, US |
| Hometown: | MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Hometown: | MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA, US |
| Hometown: | WEST FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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