Washington Air National Guard annual award winners announced

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kimberly D. Burke, Western Air Defense Sector Public Affairs

Washington Air National Guard members met at the American Lake Conference Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord for the 9th Annual Washington Air National Guard Awards Banquet Jan. 27.

The event, hosted by Brig. Gen. Jeremy Horn, commander of the Washington Air National Guard, recognized the top Airmen in 12 categories.

Nominees for each state level awards category were the winners of their respective unit annual awards.  The Washington Air National Guard units eligible to compete were the 141st Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base; the 194th Wing, Camp Murray; and the Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Prior to the keynote speaker, the commander of the Washington Air National Guard talked about the accomplishments of the three Washington Air National Guard units during 2017. 

“We have had Airmen on six continents around the globe to include members of the 252 Cyber Operations Group assessing the science station in Antarctica, 65 Washington Air National Guardsmen assisting with hurricane disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the Western Air Defense Sector saving over 800 Hurricane Harvey victims with their innovative command and control abilities, to just name a few,” commented Horn.

The keynote speaker, Gen. Robin Rand, Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command commander, emphasized the importance the Air National Guard as a whole has been to the total force.  Rand shared stories from his 40 years in the active duty Air Force pertaining to his various assignments where he partnered with Air National Guard units and how those units positively impacted the mission success.

Rand is extremely impressed by the citizen Airmen in the Air National Guard because they “sacrifice more than anyone else” and as Guardsmen they “choose to serve.”

Prior to the announcement of the annual award winners, Rand closed with saying, “the (Air National) Guard has never been more important and needed than you are today. Thank you for making my world and my grandchildren safe. You have carried the burden of our nation for the last 17 years and tonight is to recognize those ordinary Airman doing extraordinary things.”

The Washington Air National Guard annual award winners are:

Airman of the Year:

Staff Sgt. Christopher LaCour, cyber systems operations journeyman, 225th Support Squadron, Western Area Defense Sector.

Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year:

Staff Sgt. Aaron DeCremer, weapons director, 225th Air Defense Squadron, Western Area Defense Sector.

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year:

Senior Master Sgt. Jason Roland, operations superintendent, 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, 194th Wing.

First Sergeant of the Year:

Master Sgt. Dawn Kloos, first sergeant, 225th Air Defense Group, Western Area Defense Sector.

Company Grade Officer of the Year:

Capt. Nathan Carlson, operations flight commander, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, 194th Wing.

Honor Guard Member of the Year:

Tech. Sgt. Jacob Dille, mission systems technician, 225th Support Squadron, Western Air Defense Sector.

Honor Guard Manager of the Year:

Royal Canadian Air Force Sgt. Yves Truchon, command and control battle manager, 225th Air Defense Squadron, Western Area Defense Sector.

Civilian of the Year:

Mr. Randy Toulou, unit readiness training coordinator, 141st Security Forces Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Wing.

Production Recruiter and Retainer of the Year:

Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Rivera, Washington Air National Guard Headquarters.

Recruiting and Retention Manager of the Year:

Master Sgt. Jeremy Montgomery, Washington Air National Guard Headquarters.

The Washington Air National Guard Outstanding Flight of the Year Award:

141st Communications Flight, 141st Air Refueling Wing

The Washington Air National Guard Outstanding Squadron of the Year Award:

141st Security Forces Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Wing

Spirit Award:

141st Air Refueling Wing