SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The 174th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, recognized its top performers with the annual Airmen of the Year awards, honoring Airmen whose leadership, professionalism and dedication to mission excellence set them apart across the wing.
The Airmen of the Year program recognizes outstanding performance at the wing level, with recipients advancing to compete at the state level and beyond. This year, two 174th Attack Wing Airmen have already continued their success. Staff Sgt. Dylan Kimball and Senior Airman Austin Conaway earned state level honors and will now represent New York at the regional competition, where earning that achievement could advance them to the national level.
While the wing contains high performing members from all groups and squadrons, these five have distinguished themselves as truly exceptional Airmen.
The 174th Attack Wing Airmen of the Year award recipients are:
Company Grade Officer: 1st Lt. Tyler Heggelke First Sergeant: Master Sgt. Cara Sturdivant Senior Noncommissioned Officer: Master Sgt. Jessica Ashford Noncommissioned Officer: Staff Sgt. Dylan Kimball Airman: Senior Airman Austin Conaway
Each recipient represents excellence within their respective tier, contributing to the wing’s mission through leadership, expertise and service.
Company Grade Officer of the Year, 1st Lt. Tyler Heggelke, with more than 11 years of service, is the director of operations for the 174th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron where he serves as a key leader responsible for MQ-9 aircraft maintenance in support of the 174th’s Formal Training Unit. He provides oversight of operational effectiveness and the organization, training, and equipping of enlisted Airmen. Heggelke consistently credits the Airmen he works with for the team’s success.
“Without the Airmen around me, this would have never happened,” said Heggelke.
First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sgt. Cara Sturdivant, the first sergeant of the 138th Attack Squadron, has served since 2010 and is a highly accomplished enlisted Airman with extensive operational and leadership experience. Sturdivant, a former C-130 Hercules loadmaster and current MQ-9 Remote Piloted Aircraft sensor operator, instructor, and evaluator, has extensive combat deployment experience in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and hundreds of combat-support missions executed across the total force.
Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Master Sgt. Jessica Ashford, a MQ-9 sensor operator and flight chief with the 174th Operations Support Squadron, has served since 2010 and is a highly accomplished enlisted aviator with distinguished experience as a C-130J loadmaster and a MQ-9 instructor/evaluator, including multiple combat deployments and a proven record of excellence in operations and leadership.
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Staff Sgt. Dylan Kimball, a security forces craftsman with the 174th Security Forces Squadron has served since 2018, supporting multiple deployments in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, Red Flag, and Pacer Goose. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and operational excellence while serving in a wide range of security, investigative, and emergency response roles.
“Receiving the Airmen of the Year award is a profound honor reflecting the trust and teamwork of those I serve alongside,” said Kimball. “I am grateful to my leadership, fellow Airmen and family for their continued support.” Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Austin Conaway, a fuels distribution operator with the 174th Logistics Readiness Squadron who has served since 2019, distinguishing himself through deployments supporting Operations Prosperity Guardian, Spartan Shield, and Inherent Resolve, while demonstrating exceptional skill in safely fueling Air Force aircraft.
“I could not have received this award without the strong leadership and co-workers behind me, backing me everyday,” said Conaway.
The Airmen of the Year award recognizes more than individual achievement. It highlights the professionalism, teamwork and commitment the 174th Attack Wing strives to achieve. As Kimball and Conaway advance to the regional level, all five recipients stand as examples of the wing’s continued excellence and dedication to mission success.
The 174th Attack Wing is one of five wings that comprise the New York Air National Guard. Headquartered at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, NY, the wing’s primary mission is to operate the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.