Photo By Lt. Col. Anthony Deiss | U.S. Air Force Capt. Ross Rollinger receives the Lt. Col. John J. Steele Award as the...... read more read more
The South Dakota National Guard selected a Harrisburg man as Lieutenant of the Year during its annual officer’s conference in Deadwood, April 21.
Capt. Ross Rollinger, commander of the 114th Maintenance Operations Flight, South Dakota Air National Guard, received the Lt. Col. John J. Steele Award as the most exceptional lieutenant after competing against lieutenants from several of the SDNG’s major commands.
“Capt. Rollinger is my brightest star,” said Col. Nathan Alholinna, 114th FW commander. “He’s truly an asset to the 114th Fighter Wing and will be for years to come.”
Rollinger, who has more than 11 years of service in the Air National Guard, enlisted in 2006 as a jet engine mechanic in the 114th Maintenance Squadron. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served at Balad Air Base in 2008 and 2010 maintaining jet engines.
By March 2013, he would receive his commission as a second lieutenant through the Academy of Military Science and later that year attend the Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officer’s course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
As the flight commander for the 114th Maintenance Operations Flight, he is responsible for maintaining a fleet of 22 F-16 Block 40 aircraft at Joe Foss Field and four at the Aerospace Control Alert Detachment at March Air Reserve Base in California.
“Capt. Rollinger vastly contributes to the outstanding reputation of the 114th Fighter Wing,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Curley, 114th Maintenance Group deputy commander. “He has a proven track record of excellence, integrity and service, and is a consummate professional and Airman.”
In addition to his responsibilities in the Air National Guard, Rollinger is the assistant principal at Harrisburg North Middle School.
In 2006, he graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in History, with an emphasis on middle and high school education, and in 2014 from the University of South Dakota, with a Master of Arts in Education Administration.
He has spent over a decade teaching and coaching the youth of South Dakota in three different school systems.
“Capt. Rollinger’s knowledge and leadership abilities play a key role in the success of the entire maintenance group,” said Curley. “He is a natural leader who sets the standard throughout the group by leading in continuing education, civic involvement and physical fitness.”
Other officers representing their major command for this year’s award competition were 1st Lt. Trevor Reisch, 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and 1st Lt. Joelle Mulder, 109th Regional Support Group.
“Just to be able to represent the 114th Fighter Wing was a great honor,” said Rollinger. “Receiving the actual title certainly added to that feeling.
“I love being a part of the National Guard family and tradition of success,” Rollinger added. “I look forward to broadening my leadership skills and working with all National Guard members to ensure we fulfill our state and federal missions.”
The Lt. Col. John J. Steele Award was established in 1968 to annually recognize the most outstanding lieutenant in the South Dakota National Guard. Selection is based on exceptional qualities of leadership, values and performance.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2017 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 231766 |
| Location: | SD, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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