Celebrating excellence: 189 AW wins big at NGAUS

Photo By Capt. Kayla Edwards | The 189th Airlift Wing won four of five awards presented to the Arkansas National Guard during the National Guard Association of the United States' 140th General Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, LA August 24 - 27, 2018. The 189th Operations Group earned the NGAUS Distinguished Flying Unit Spaatz Trophy and the Curtis N. "Rusty" Metcalf Trophy, both of which are awarded for achieving the highest standards of mission accomplishment and combat readiness. The 189th Mission Support Group earned the Mission Support Trophy, which is awarded for outstanding operational readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kayla K. Edwards)  

AR, UNITED STATES

09.11.2018

Story by Senior Airman Kayla Edwards 

189th Airlift Wing   

Showcasing the Air Force’s core value Excellence in All We Do is something that the Airmen of
the 189th Airlift Wing take very seriously. The wing was recently recognized for its commitment
to excellence at the National Guard Association of the United States’ 140th General
Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, LA August 24 - 27. Col. Thomas Crimmins,
189 AW commander, was on hand to receive four out of five NGAUS awards won within the
Arkansas National Guard. Crimmins provided some perspective about the magnitude of the
wing’s wins at NGAUS, explaining that airmen assigned to the 189th only account for about
1,100 personnel of the more than 10,000 members of the Arkansas National Guard.
“We more than represented the state of Arkansas at NGAUS and it makes me proud to know
that the airmen of this wing are being recognized for the amazing jobs they do every single
day,” Crimmins said.
The NGAUS conference is held annually for National Guard commissioned officers who are
looking for opportunities to network, develop leadership skills, and share best practices. During
the four day conference, exceptional National Guard members, as well as individuals and
organizations outside of the Guard who have made a significant impact to furthering its
mission, are recognized for their outstanding achievements and commitment to service.
This year, the 189 AW took home three unit level awards and one airman earned an individual
award. The 189th Operations Group was awarded the NGAUS Distinguished Flying Unit Spaatz
Trophy, which is named for Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, the first Air Force Chief of Staff who fought in
both World War I and II. The Spaatz Trophy is awarded to the overall outstanding flying unit in
the Air National Guard and signifies overall combat readiness.
The 189 OG also earned the Curtis N. “Rusty” Metcalf Trophy, which recognizes the airlift unit
with the highest standards of mission accomplishment.
The 189th Mission Support Group earned the Mission Support Trophy, which is awarded to the
top overall non-flying group or unit that showcases outstanding operational readiness.
Capt. Daniel Maslowski was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Leadership Award for Company
Grade Officers, which recognizes the achievements and dedicated service of Army and Air
National Guard junior officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and
professionalism to both country and community.
Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Boston, 189 AW command chief, expressed his pride in the wing’s
airmen, who he lauded for contributing to the wing’s success.
“Our airmen need to know the role they played in earning these awards,” Boston stated.
“These awards represent the hard work, commitment, and dedication of all our airmen and this
is just the tip of the iceberg. This is nothing compared to what they can really do.”

• Date Taken: 09.11.2018
• Date Posted: 09.11.2018 12:04
• Story ID: 292215
• Location: AR, US