Bronze Star Recipients, 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Recognized at PA Air Guard Convening

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | Five airmen to be presented the Bronze Star Medal, awarded for meritorious service in a combat zone. Master Sergeant Keith P. Gregory, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Coraopolis, Technical Sergeant Erich Shaner, Staff Sergeant Anthony Mazzone, Staff Sergeant Equeno Ogle, and Staff Sergeant Joseph Rooney. All four are members of the 148th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS), 193rd Special Operations Wing, and earned the recognition for service in combat while assigned as Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in Syria earlier in 2019. A sixth Bronze Star recipient, Staff Sergeant Zachary Holder, also from the 148th ASOS, was unable to be present for the ceremony. More than 150 leaders from Pennsylvania’s three Air National Guard wings gathered at the Keystone Conference Center in Annville this week for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s Fall Leadership Forum, an annual two-day event where officials share information about state-level programs and priorities, promote professional development opportunities, and foster networking and camaraderie. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zane Craig)  

FT. INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, UNITED STATES

09.27.2019

Story by Maj. Nicole M Reigelman 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – More than 150 leaders from Pennsylvania’s three Air National Guard wings gathered at the Keystone Conference Center in Annville this week for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s Fall Leadership Forum, an annual two-day event where officials share information about state-level programs and priorities, promote professional development opportunities, and foster networking and camaraderie. Additionally, several current airmen and a retired senior officer were honored.

“The Fall Leadership Forum provides a venue for leaders from across the state to share updates from their Wings, and to engage with state leaders and one another as well as to participate in leadership development training to better equip us all to continue face the challenges of the day,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, Pa. Air National Guard commander.

At the event on Tuesday, several airmen were recognized for exceptional performance or for valor. Recognition included the recipients of 2018 Pennsylvania Airmen of the Year Awards: Airman of the Year Senior Airman Christopher M. Ryan, 111th Attack Wing, Horsham; Non-commissioned Officer of the Year Staff Sergeant Lucas C. Hollenbach, 111th Attack Wing, Horsham; First Sergeant of the Year Master Sergeant Jason T. Stehly, 111th Attack Wing, Horsham; and Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year Master Sergeant Keith P. Gregory, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Coraopolis.

Gregory was also one of five airmen to be presented the Bronze Star Medal, awarded for meritorious service in a combat zone. Gregory received the recognition for actions during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2017 and 2018. Four other recipients included Technical Sergeant Erich Shaner, Staff Sergeant Anthony Mazzone, Staff Sergeant Equeno Ogle, and Staff Sergeant Joseph Rooney. All four are members of the 148th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS), 193rd Special Operations Wing, and earned the recognition for service in combat while assigned as Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in Syria earlier in 2019. A sixth Bronze Star recipient, Staff Sergeant Zachary Holder, also from the 148th ASOS, was unable to be present for the ceremony.

“These airmen earned these distinctions for their exemplary performance in combat zones,” Regan said. “They also represent the caliber of airmen throughout the ranks of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. They embody our core values and selflessly serve whenever and wherever they are needed. They live and work in our communities and their families and employers support them 100%. We couldn’t accomplish our mission without that support.”

Also during the event, Regan shared information about the recently approved Military Family Education Program (MFEP), signed by Governor Tom Wolf in July. As a show of support for the families that serve alongside of our members, this landmark initiative offers up to 10 semesters of tuition-free education for one family member, including spouses and children, of Pennsylvania National Guard members who commit to additional six years of service with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

The gathering culminated with the induction of retired Brigadier General Stanley J. Jaworski in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame. Jaworski was a member of the United States Air Force and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and served from 1973 to 2006 and is the 61st member to earn this distinction.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard is comprised of nearly 4,000 airmen across the state, and includes the 111th Attack Wing in Horsham, Montgomery County; the 171st Air Refueling Wing in Coraopolis, Allegheny County; and the 193rd Special Operations Wing in Middletown, Dauphin County. There are supporting units in Johnstown and State College.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2019
• Date Posted: 11.20.2019 14:15
• Story ID: 344094
• Location: FT. INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US