Courtesy Photo | Retired Chief Master Sgt. Jenny Pappas was inducted into the Pennsylvania Air National...... read more read more
Subscribe
Annville, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PAANG) has inducted two new members into its prestigious Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional service to the commonwealth and the Guard.
Newly inducted members are retired Chief Master Sgt. Jenny Pappas and retired Col. Willard Dellicker.
“Induction into the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor and reserved for those who have shown exceptional commitment to the organization while exemplifying integrity, service, and excellence,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, PAANG commander. “Through decades of exceptional service to their country, commonwealth, and community, Chief Pappas and Col. Dellicker have surpassed expectations and earned a place in the history of our organization. I am proud to honor them with this elite distinction.”
More than 50 people have been inducted into the PAANG Hall of Fame since it was established in 1988 to recognize contributions and significant achievements in service and support of the organization.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Jenny Pappas
Jenny Pappas joined the Utah Air National Guard in 1980, before transferring to the PAANG’s 111th Tactical Air Support Group in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where she spent the remainder of her 28-year career. Throughout her career she held a variety of positions in training, customer service, and human resources. She made her mark as the driving force behind educating and developing airmen to ensure personnel readiness in deployment preparation.
Ultimately, Pappas’ efforts led to the creation of the 111th Family Readiness Group (FRG), a largely volunteer organization aimed at supporting, educating and advocating for the 111th’s approximately 900 airmen and their families. Upon her retirement in 2008, Pappas was elected president of the FRG and has remained in the position ever since.
In 2005, Pappas made history by becoming the first female in the 111th Fighter Wing to earn the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
In addition to her exemplary military service, Pappas is known for her selfless volunteerism. In 2000, she was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for her service to the local community. Some of her projects included coordinating food and clothing donations for the underprivileged and strengthening local civilian/military relations.
Since retiring in 2008, Pappas has remained a familiar face at the 111th, logging over 400 annual service hours supporting the 111th Retirees Activities Office.
Pappas was inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the 111th Attack Wing, Horsham, Pennsylvania, in January 2019.
Retired Col. Willard Dellicker
Col. Willard Dellicker began his 34-year military career by enlisting in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Pensacola, Florida, in 1965. After he received his commission and earned his wings, he was sent to Vietnam where he completed three combat tours as a fighter pilot between 1967 and 1972. In total he flew 201 missions in the A-4 Skyhawk and earned 16 Air Medals, a Navy Commendation with Combat “V” for valor and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
When he left active duty, Dellicker joined the PAANG to fly the EC-121 Constellation for the 193d Special Operations Wing in Middletown, Pennsylvania. He then received an engineering degree and joined the 201st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, where he would one day become commander. During his seven years in the squadron, Dellicker oversaw many construction projects in the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America.
Following his command of the 201st, Dellicker became the chief civil engineer at the PAANG Headquarters, where he applied his expertise in engineering and construction in domestic operations.
Dellicker also had a successful civilian career holding numerous management positions in the manufacturing industry and working as the facilities engineer at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute near Allentown, Pennsylvania. Additionally, he served four terms as board president of the Northwestern Lehigh School District.
Most recently, Dellicker wrote the book, “Tailhooker: Pre-flight to Vietnam,” which recounts his experiences as a pilot in Vietnam.
Dellicker was inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap in February 2019.
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2019 11:02 |
| Story ID: | 310902 |
| Location: | ANNVILLE, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 463 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, PA Air National Hall of Fame Inducts Two New Members, by Lt. Col. Nicole M Reigelman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT