← Military & Defence

Military Award Ceremonies

Images of military personnel receiving various awards and recognitions during formal ceremonies, showcasing camaraderie and dedication in uniform.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James Freeman, 17th Training Group deputy commander, presents the 17th TRG Rope of the Month award to Airman 1st Class Emma Buchanan, 315th Training Squadron student, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 20, 2022. Red ropes are responsible for overseeing other ropes and students within their squadron.

U.S. Army Sgt. Darien Myers is 1 of 157 graduates to complete the Department of the Army Retention Training (DART) course at Vilseck, Germany, April 22, 2022. The DART course provides graduates the tools to become successful retention non-commissioned officers for their units with goals of retaining highly qualified Soldiers.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Anthony Maggio, the Equal Opportunity Director at the 117th Air Refueling Wing, holds a retirement ceremony at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Jan. 6, 2024. Maggio retired after 22 years in the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James Freeman, 17th Training Group deputy commander, presents the 17th TRG Rope of the Month award to Airman 1st Class Emma Buchanan, 315th Training Squadron student, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 20, 2022. Red ropes are responsible for overseeing other ropes and students within their squadron.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Emily Tiedt, the noncommissioned officer in charge of adverse actions, assigned to the 36th Wing office of the Staff Judge Advocate, receives the Linebacker of the Week Award from U.S. Air Force Col. Larry Fenner, 36th Wing vice commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Brian Smith, the senior enlisted leader assigned to the 36th Operations Group, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 21, 2022. The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersens mission, vision and priorities.

Let's give Airman Daniel Cummings from the 81st Comptroller Squadron a shout-out for being chosen as the Warrior of the Week during this week's staff meeting! As an apprentice travel technician, Cummings processed travel documents for 150 members base-wide, ensuring they receive travel reimbursements in a timely manner by reducing re-work and delayed travel reimbursement, helping to mitigate stress during PCS for all inbound Keesler personnel. He obtained 90% accuracy despite being in upgrade training within first six months on station. Additionally, while serving as a debt management assistant, he assisted with over 250 records, resulting in satisfying over $74,000 worth of debts owed to the Air Force, saving approximately 43 man-hours. These accomplishments earned Cummings the 2021 Sky High Award.

Non-commissioned officers with the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing graduate from First Sergeant Symposium at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept 27, 2022. They learned leadership, mental resiliency and other competencies from previous 1st Sgts. and Helping Agency Team members.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alexandro Mayorga is 1 of 157 graduates to complete the Department of the Army Retention Training (DART) course at Vilseck, Germany, April 22, 2022. The DART course provides graduates the tools to become successful retention non-commissioned officers for their units with goals of retaining highly qualified Soldiers.

Yorktown, Va. (January 30, 2024) Master at Arms Chief Aaron J. Olander is presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by Captain Dan Patrick, Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown during an all hands award quarters event at the installations Nelson Chapel.

U.S. Air Force Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Group commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Heather Celano, 313th Training Squadron senior enlisted leader, presents the 315th Training Squadron Enlisted Student of the Month award to U.S. Space Force Specialist 3 Jared Bowers, 315th TRS student, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, June 10, 2022. Bowers worked hard for his award and has shown his dedication to his squadron and the training he received at Goodfellow.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Marc Rittberg, 23rd Health Care Operations Squadron commander, right, receives a meritorious service medal during a change of command ceremony at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, June 8, 2022. The medal Rittberg received symbolized his accomplishments during his time with the 23rd HCOS.

Command Sgt. Maj. Lonnie Gabriel presents Col. Jeremy St. Laurent, commander, 597th Transportation Brigade with The Honorable Order of Saint Christopher during a ceremony at Fort Eustis, Va. June 9.

U.S. Air Force Col. Danielle Willis, 93d Air Ground Operations Wing commander, right, receives a meritorious service medal during a change of command ceremony at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, June 15, 2022. During the ceremony, Willis relinquished command of the 93d AGOW after two years of service with the wing.

Senior Airman Jakob Stokes, 168th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 168th Wing received the Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon upon returning home from assisting communities affected by the remnants of Typhoon Merbok in Nome, Alaska, Sept. 30, 2022. The Alaska Joint Task Force members removed more than 180,000 pounds of debris and logged more than 3,000 work hours across 32 communities. (Alaska National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Senior Airman Shamelia Nicholson, from the 49th Security Forces Squadron, accepts the Airman of the Quarter Award during the 49th Wings 1st quarter awards ceremony, June 10, 2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Quarterly award winners were selected based on their technical expertise, demonstration of leadership and job performance.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Coffey (Left), the United States Military Academy Command Sergeant Major, presents the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award (SAMA) to Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Dalton, with 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at West Point, NY on July 29, 2022. The SAMA is an award for noncommissioned officers whose leadership achievements and performance merit special recognition.

Col. Mitchell Sieglock, commander of the 96th Aviation Troop Command, presents Sgt. Ty Higgins, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew chief with 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation, with the U.S. Army Aviation's Broken Wing Award in a ceremony held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, June 18, 2022. Higgins was instrumental in landing their catastrophically damaged Chinook during a mission in Afghanistan in 2020.

Representatives from 49th Communications Squadron accept the Small Unit of the Quarter Award during the 49th Wings 1st quarter awards ceremony, June 10, 2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Quarterly award winners were selected based on their technical expertise, demonstration of leadership and job performance.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kulchar, 17th Training Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Valerie Nededog, 17th TRG senior enlisted leader, present the 315th Training Squadron Student Leader of the Month award to Airman 1st Class Austin Cook, 315th Training Squadron student, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, September 26, 2022. Cook worked hard for his award and has shown his dedication to his squadron and the training he received at Goodfellow.

Maj. Gen. Anthony R. Hale, Fort Huachuca and USAICoE commanding general, presents a star note to Drill Sgt. Kevin Wilkinson of the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion, winner of USAICoE's 2022 Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition and runner-up in TRADOC's 2022 Drill Sergeant Competition.

Brig. Gen. Toni Lord, Virginia National Guard air component commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Reich, Virginia Air Guard state command chief master sergeant, present the Air Combat Command Superior Performance Award to Tech. Sgt. Megan Wulf on Aug. 7, 2022, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Thomas Harvey, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the services team with the 36th Contracting Squadron, receives the Linebacker of the Week Award from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Birch, 36th Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Payne, 36th Wing command chief, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 15, 2022. The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersens Mission, Vision and Priorities.

Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder (left), 56th Fighter Wing commander, presents the 2021 AETC Outstanding Airman Leadership School of the Year award to Staff Sgt. Halley Mosley (middle) and Staff Sgt. Victoria Barsness (right) at the John J. Rhodes Airman Leadership School June 7, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Mosley and Barsness accepted the major command-level unit award on behalf of the schoolhouse during an impromptu visit from the commander.

Angie Paloskey with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Human Resources receives a commander's coin for excellence and a special appreciation letter from the Garrison Command Team on April 7, 2022, from Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss at Fort McCoy, Wis. Paloskey was being recognized for excellent customer service, and more.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Carmen Benson is 1 of 157 graduates to complete the Department of the Army Retention Training (DART) course at Vilseck, Germany, April 22, 2022. The DART course provides graduates the tools to become successful retention non-commissioned officers for their units with goals of retaining highly qualified Soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Vickers gives Staff Sgt. Tanya Walls her graduation certificate. Walls, along with fifteen others, graduated from the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Foundation Course on May 27, 2022 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. She and the others will work to combat sexual harassment and assault in their units and the Army.

Earlier this week, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann presented Col. (Retired) Brad Bekkedahl with the North Dakota Legion of Merit in recognition for his exceptionally meritorious service from September 2002 through November 2022, culminating as the State Dental Officer while assigned to the North Dakota Army National Guard Medical Readiness Detachment. Bekkedahl's contributions were responsible for North Dakota's continued success in achieving the highest medical and dental readiness in the nation.

Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Gorup, the Noncommissioned Officer-Charge of the Illinois National Guard's Joint Operations Center, retired with almost 26 years of service on Sunday, May 15, during a ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Gorup spent 21 years of his career in the Infantry and deployed four times, the last being with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009. Pictured is Colonel Seth Hible, the Chief of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, presenting a retirement certificate to Sgt. 1st Class Gorup during the ceremony.

U.S. Army Col. Ronald Iammartino Jr, Commander, 2d Theater Signal Brigade, presents a Certificate of Achievement to U.S. Army Pvt. Connor Beebe during a short ceremony July 29, 2022 at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. Beebe was recognized for his contributions to making the 2d Theater Signal Brigade's Change of Command ceremony a success. (U.S. Army photos by Candy Knight)

Col. Richard Tucker, 1st Aviation Brigade commander, presents Justin Witty, husband of Lt. Col. Erica Witty, with the Public Service Commendation Medal at Fort Rucker, Alabama, June 24, 2022.

Tech Sgt. James Huston, 168th Maintenance Group, 168th Wing received the Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon upon returning home from assisting communities affected by the remnants of Typhoon Merbok in Nome, Alaska, Sept. 30, 2022. The Alaska Joint Task Force members removed more than 180,000 pounds of debris and logged more than 3,000 work hours across 32 communities. (Alaska National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

The 192nd Wing Commander Col. Christopher G. Batterton, left, presents Col. David R. Lands, 192nd Mission Support Group commander, with the Meritorious Service Medal during the group's All Call May 15, 2022, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The medal was awarded to Lands for the period of July 6, 2019, to Feb. 2, 2021, recognizing his outstanding performance while serving as the director of staff at Joint Force Headquarters, Virginia Air National Guard. Lands and Chief Master Sgt. Sean Fretwell, 192nd MSG superintendent, held the All Call to highlight unit accomplishments and recognize various MSG Airmen for their individual accomplishments.

Col. Matt Husemann, left, 436th Airlift Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Bayes, 436 AW command chief, present Jason Minto, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations multimedia specialist, with a certificate as the weeks top performer at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Aug. 10, 2022. Husemann and Bayes presented Minto with a certificate and coin for his outstanding performance.

SILVERDALE, Wash. (May. 5, 2022) Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Marcus P. Mendez (right), from Tularosa, New Mexico, is recognized as Trident Refit Facility, Bangor's (TRFB) Junior Sailor of the Quarter, second quarter, fiscal year 2022. Senior Chief Machinists Mate Allen Schacherl (left) presented the award. TRFB supports the nations strategic deterrence mission repairing, incrementally overhauling, and modernizing Pacific Fleet strategic ballistic missile submarines during refits.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua DeMotts, left, 99th Air Base Wing commander, presents Staff Sgt. Tyler Tanzi, 58th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, a Bronze Star medal at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Feb. 23, 2024. Tanzi was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during the evacuation of Afghanistan in which he directly worked to save the lives of 31 military personnel, 29 Afghan civilians and aided in the recovery of 13 U.S. military personnel. Air Force

Maj. David Simpson, right, and Capt. Michael Nash of the 168th Civil Engineering Squadron hold the One Tuff FM'er Award and a finance patch presented to them by the 168th Wing's Comptroller Flight. Simpson and Nash received the One Tuff FM'er Award for their support to finance as a liaison between contractors and the wing and for their additional support with wing members' DTS travel helping to improve the finance process. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeremy Sloane, 36th Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Payne, 36th Wing command chief, present an award to U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Ogle, a firefighter with the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, for a Linebacker of the Week award at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 27, 2022. The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersens Mission, Vision and Priorities.

Lt. Col. Anthony Williams, the outgoing 3rd Battalion, 345th Regiment Training Support Battalion commander, receives the Meritorious Service Medal by Col. William Shoemate II, the 188th Infantry Brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Higley, the 188th IN BDE senior enlisted advisor, before conducting a Change of Command ceremony at the Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart June 28, 2023.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Vickers gives 2nd Lt. Jenell Buckner her graduation certificate. Buckner, along with fifteen others, graduated from the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Foundation Course on May 27, 2022 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. She and the others will work to combat sexual harassment and assault in their units and the Army.

CSS-15 Awards

Master Sgt. Gabriel L. Parcel, unit deployment manager, 157th Air Operations Group, 131st Bomb Wing, stands with Col. Christopher J. Blaney, Commander of the 157th Air Operations Group, after being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, May 14, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Parcel distinguished himself by overseeing the inventory of over 1,500 individual equipment articles worth over $200,000.

Maj. Gen. Michel M. Russell Sr., commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, presented a U.S. Army Central Certificate of Appreciation to Lindsay Ward at Fort Knox, Kentucky in a joint ceremony held via video conference with the U.S. Army Central Command during their volunteer recognition ceremony held at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, May, 19, 2022. Ward received the award for the large amount of volunteering she has done with the 1st TSC Soldiers and Family Readiness Group and the greater Fort Knox community.

Petty Officer 1st Class Lacy McMahon receives recognition from Air Force Col. Joseph Leonard, maintenance group commander for the 117 Fighter Wing unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard, for her service in training their unit personnel in CPR and increasing their overall deployment readiness, May 4, 2022. McMahon embodied the Coast Guards values to remain Always Ready, and went above and beyond to assist other military services in maintaining their readiness to respond to calls when needed.

On January 30, 2023, the HAVOC Team was given the opportunity to hold an award celebration. Col. McClure (right) and CSM Curry (left), leadership team of the 1st Signal Brigade, pose with Spc. Phung (Center).

Master Sgt. Amanda N. Tyndall, operational intelligence specialist, 157th Air Operations Group, 131st Bomb Wing, stands with Col. Christopher J. Blaney, Commander of the 157th Air Operations Group, after being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, May 14, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Among many accomplishments, Tyndall distinguished herself by volunteering to fill a critical manning shortfall where she managed and coordinated the 157th special security programs.

U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting (left) and Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna, Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader of Space Operations Command, recognize U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelsey Ryder (center) at SpOC Headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, April 21, 2022.

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Commanding General Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, right, presents the Legion of Merit to retired Brig. Gen. Umberto DAndria, left, the former Italian Base commander during award presentation ceremony at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 27, 2022. Brig. Gen. Umberto DAndria served as the Italian Base Commander for the United States Installations in Vicenza, Italy, from November 2015 to December 2020. During his five years as the base commander, his expertise and knowledge of working with national and local authorities aided United States military.

Lt. Col. Mike Barton, Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard's 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, presents a letter of appreciation to Heather Heleine, the spouse of 1st Sgt. Tyler Heleine during Heleine's Sept. 10 retirement ceremony on Camp Lincoln, Springfield. Heleine, the Sheriff of Coles County, Illinois, retired after more than 21 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard including a 2004-2005 tour in Iraq with the 1544th Transportation Co.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse J. Friedel, 35th Fighter Wing commander, presents the Legion of Merit medal to Col. Melissa J. Dooley, outgoing 35th Medical Group (MDG) commander, during a change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 24, 2022. As the leader of the 35th MDG, Dooleys role was to ensure maximum wartime readiness by operating a community-based healthcare system maintaining the health, welfare and morale for over 9,000 beneficiaries through accessible, high quality healthcare.

Staff Sgt. Monique Dingle of the 104th Maintenance Co is named the NCO winner for the DCARNG for DC in conjunction with the West Virginia National Guard Best Warrior Competition held April 22-24, 2022, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia. Best Warrior is an annual event where participants compete in a series of warrior training tasks including weapons proficiency on the M4 rifle, 9mm pistol, land navigation, physical fitness, combat first aid, tactical movements, communications, and professional development activities.

Staff Sgt. Matthew W. Weidler, air defense analyst, 157th Air Operations Group, 131st Bomb Wing, stands with Col. Christopher J. Blaney, Commander of the 157th Air Operations Group, after being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, May 14, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Among many accomplishments, Weidler distinguished himself by setting a standard of excellence by achieving recognition within the top ten percent of graduating trainees in both his technical training course and his initial formal training unit.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Lance J. Langfeldt, the 6th Marine Corps District commanding officer, left, and Sgt. Maj. Frank O. Robinson, the 6MCD sergeant major, congratulate Gunnery Sgt. Shannon K. Schroeder, 6MCD supply chief, after his promotion ceremony held at 6MCD headquarters, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Dec. 2, 2022. Schroeder, a native of Crestview, Florida, was publicly recognized for proving himself worthy of the next enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lt. Cmdr. David Johnson receives a Letter of Appreciation from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

Staff Sgt. Logan Willis, Company A, 2d Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, receives an Army Commendation Medal from Col. Jake Miller, 128th Aviation Brigade commander, for winning the 128th Aviation Brigade Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition, at Fort Eustis, Virginia, April 14, 2022.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Corrine Ramos receives her Flag Letter of Commendation certificate from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Salmi, left, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, presents Staff Sgt. Maegan Price, 60th Aeromedical Evacuation technician, with selection to the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 31, 2022. The STEP program allows Major Command, field operating agency and direct reporting unit commanders and senior Air Force officers with large enlisted populations to select a limited number of airmen with exceptional potential for promotion to the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant.

U.S. Soldiers participating in the Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) hosted Stryker Leader Course at Vilseck, Germany, graduated from their course May 25, 2022. The 7th Army Training Command's CATC coordinates and delivers individual training and professional education for U.S. Army Soldiers, Department of the Army and host nation civilians, and multinational partners through the most efficient and effective means available to ensure readiness and interoperability.

Newly-appointed Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas D. Burney, outgoing Aviation Center Logistics Command sergeant major, stands for a photo with ceremony narrator Anthony Patronas, after his appointment from sergeant major to command sergeant major during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Ala., May 24, 2022.

Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George, left, presents a Certificate of Retirement to Lt. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, center, the director of the U.S. Army Staff, as his wife Cynthia looks on, during his retirement ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 5, 2024. Piatt retired after serving over 40 years in the U.S. Army.

Lt. Ethan Berg receives a Letter of Appreciation from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Walker retired this weekend as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 149th Fighter Wings Maintenance Group after 26 years of dedicated service. On behalf of all Gunfighters, we would like to wish you well on the next chapter of your life! #Gunfighters #MissionDominance #UncompromisedExcellence

Col. Timothy Walsh, deputy commander of U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command, presents Lt. Col. Nikki Davis with a certification of appreciation for her support of AMLCs observance for Womens Equality Day on Aug. 26 at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

Senior Master Sgt. Richard Bailey, 117th Air Refueling Wing, Emergency Manager, retires after 36 years of service at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Ala. May 15, 2022. Bailey started his career in Communications and for the past 14 years served as the Emergency Manager for the Civil Engineering squadron. He was instramental in responding to multiple man-made and natural disaster relief efforts, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Timothy P. Herrington was recognized for more than 28 years of service to the Mississippi Army National Guard during a retirement ceremony held at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, August 6, 2022. Herrington previously served as a commissioned officer obtaining the rank of colonel. Herrington was present the Legion of Merit, the Mississippi Magnolia Cross and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. His wife, Carmen, was presented the Mississippi Magnolia Necklace and a certificate of appreciation. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. Jovi Prevot)

Brig. Gen. Stanley E. Budraitis, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker deputy commanding general, receives the NGB Eagle Award from Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Fort Rucker, Ala., January 24, 2023. Budraitis is a Mississippi Army National Guard Soldier, the first National Guard Army aviator and general officer to serve as the full-time deputy commanding general at Rucker. He assumed responsibility Aug. 14, 2020, and will complete his tour March 15, 2023.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, left, Air Mobility Command commander, andChief Master Sgt. Brian Kruzelnick, right, AMC command chief, congratulateLt. Col. Justin Hinrichs, 735th Air Mobility Squadron commander, for the735th AMS receiving a Daedalian Award during an AMC All Call with 735th AMSand 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing personnel at Joint Base PearlHarbor-Hickam, Hawaii June 22, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason Woodworth, left, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Curtis Rice, right, the sergeant major of MCI-West, MCB Camp Pendleton, present Albino Parra, an analyst specialist, MCI-West, MCB Camp Pendleton, with an award for 30 years of service during a Civilian Length of Service Award ceremony on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2022. The installation recognized civilian workers for their federal length of service accomplishments, including honorable military and civilian service time.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Dec. 8, 2022) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Sebastian Sanchez, assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, receives a Flag Letter of Commendation from Capt. Odin Klug, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, Greece, on behalf of Rear Adm. B. J. Collins, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central during an award ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation which enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Fernandez, the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security (DPTMS) operations non-commissioned officer; receives a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey Command team during an employee recognition ceremony held at the K-16 Community Activity Center, Feb. 28, 2024. U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey recognizes significant achievements and years of federal service as part of the installations commitment to excellence. Army

YOKOSUKA, Japan (December 2, 2022) Capt. Les Sobol, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), presents a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) to Chief Engineman Desmond Bourdain during a frocking and awards ceremony held at Benny Decker Theater onboard CFAY. For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.

Sgt. Curtiss Galloway, a motor transport operator assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Artillery, 3rd ID, poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, the commanding general of 3rd ID, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Oct. 6. 2022. Reenlistment ceremonies are an important part of a Soldiers career and are a chance for Soldiers to publicly reaffirm their commitment to support the Constitution of the United States of America.

Sgt. Julian Garcia (right), a combat medic assigned to the "Hound Battalion," 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza (left), the commanding general for 3rd ID, for his reenlistment at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 12, 2022. Garcia had decided to pick Fort Sam Houston, Texas as his next duty station where he will continue to further his career.

Brig. Gen. John Pippy, Land Component Commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Deputy Chief of Engineers for National Guard Affairs at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters presents an award for accomplishments spanning five straight years of operation without a recorded injury in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations to the Combined Support Maintenance Shop - West, located in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania during Health and Safety Awareness Day at the 171st Air Refueling Wing located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 24 May, 2022. The 171st hosted the event which also included demonstrations and information from exhibitors, a fire extinguisher training simulator, a distracted driving simulator and a motorcycle safety foundation refresher course.

Mr. Stephen Rocheford, the President, CEO, and founder of Lavender Media, is presented the Minnesota Superior Civilian Service Award during a ceremony at the Veterans Service Building in Saint Paul, July 7, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Col. James Landreth, 505th Combat Training Group deputy commander and presiding officer, passes the guidon to Lt. Col Michael Butler, 705th Combat Training Squadron incoming commander, during the 705th Combat Training Squadron change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., June 16, 2022. Butler received command from the outgoing commander, Lt. Col Lindsay Post.

SILVERDALE, Wash. (Apr. 25, 2022) -U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Figgs (left), commanding officer, Trident Refit Facility, Bangor (TRFB), presents Sonar Technician Submarine 1st Class Ryan Vankoningsveld, from Bangor, Wisc., with the 2021 USS Thresher Memorial Award. Vankoningsveld was selected as the 2021 USS Thresher Memorial Award military recipient. The annual USS Thresher Memorial Award recognizes individuals whose contribution most positively influenced the culture, processes, and execution of the SUBSAFE program at TRFB.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kyle Hoopingarner, left, command chief of the 122nd Fighter Wing, poses for a photo with Tech. Sgt. Stacey Harris, recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award Jan. 21, 2023, at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Conner receives one of his retirement gifts on Dec. 3, 2022 at Camp Withycombe, Oregon.

David Omura, director for Columbia Veterans Affairs Health Care System and Dorn VA Medical Center, presents an award to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, the adjutant general for South Carolina, during a ceremony April 5, 2022, at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division in West Columbia, South Carolina for the South Carolina National Guards participation in COVID-19 relief efforts. The South Carolina National Guard was activated March 13, 2020 in support of the COVID-19 response efforts in the state. The South Carolina National Guard assisted with distribution of personal protective equipment across the state, assisted local and state agencies with food and supply distribution, transportation of personnel and supplies, and set up and operated testing and vaccination sites across all counties.

050817-F-7564-007. Base: Joint Forces Hq Ncng State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Col. Micheal Kimball, Fires Center of excellence chief of staff, presents the Civilian Service Commendation medal to Keith Pannell, deputy director of Fort Sill Public Affairs. Pannell won Best Feature Article in Training and Doctrine Commands Keith L. Ware awards competition for his article titled "USAG RP risk reduction coordinator uses personal experience to help Soldiers work through grief.

Ashley Jarvis (middle left) receives a Volunteer of the Quarter Award from Maj. Gen. John Meyer III (left), commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax (right), the command sergeant major of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, Nov. 7, 2022, at Victory Hall in Fort Riley, Kansas. Jarvis received the award for her work as a volunteer with the United Service Organization, Soldier Family Readiness Group and Cub Scout Pack 260.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt Krystalyn Coy, a recruiter with the 139th Airlift Wing, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt Ryan Weber, an administration specialist, 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, are promoted to the rank of master sergeant during an awards ceremony at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, April 30, 2022. Both Coy and Weber contribute to the wings mission by helping others.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Eric Austin, the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) presents a plaque to Staff Sgt. Adonis Rodriguezadames in recognition of his selection for the Paul G. Vess Award, awarded to the Avionics Marine of the Year during the Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) awards luncheon at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, April 5, 2023. The MCAA awards are presented annually to individuals and units that represent the best of the best in Marine Corps aviation, rewarding operational readiness and technical ingenuity throughout the service.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William Betts, commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, awards Maj. Karl Agudo, outgoing commander of the 378th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, a Meritorious Service Medal during the unit's change of command ceremony held at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 24, 2022. During the ceremony, Agudo relinquished command to Maj. Jacques Lamoureux. The primary purpose of a change of command is for subordinates to witness an officer formally assume responsibility, authority and accountability for the unit. These ceremonies preserve the tradition of military service and stimulate unit esprit de corps.

U.S. Air Force Col. Carol Kohtz, the 149th Fighter Wing Commander, presents the First Sergeant of the Year award to Master Sgt. Kevin Yamaguchi during a commanders call on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Feb. 4, 2024. Kohtz presented the Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards and then briefed the wing on upcoming challenges and opportunities for the year. Air National Guard

Commander Nichols presenting NAM to IT1 Martinez.

220826-N-EJ241-1004DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (Aug. 26, 2022) - Master-at-Arms 1st Class Logan E. Harkness, assigned to U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, receives a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal from Capt. John F. Wilson, commanding officer of NSF Diego Garcia during awards at quarters. NSF Diego Garcia provides logistic, service, recreational, and administrative support to U.S. and allied forces forward deployed to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

220616-N-YD328-0061 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (June 16, 2022) Air Traffic Controller Airman Apprentice Xavier A. Estrella receives a letter of commendation from Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, commanding officer, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, during an Awards at Quarters ceremony in the base gym on Jun. 16, 2022. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

U.S. Army Cpl. Spencer Fayles with Utahs 144th Area Support Medical Company, receives a certificate of participation during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition award ceremony on the island of Guam, May 26, 2022. This annual competition featured the best noncommissioned officer and Soldier from eight different states and territories including Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Testing competitors skills and knowledge and pushing them to their limits, the competition graded each participant in key areas such as basic Soldier skills, marksmanship under stress, land-navigation, and physical fitness.

Senior Airman April Dishneau of the 168th Wing, 168th Force Support Squadron, 168th Services Flight was promoted to Senior Airman during the June drill in the Alaska Air National Guard. A ceremony was held to celebrate her accomplishments and her husband placed her new rank on the uniform in the tradition of Air Force promotions. The Force Support Squadron Services provides quality of life to the Wing's members and their families performing duties to keep our unit operational, including fitness, feeding Airmen, lodging, mortuary affairs, and the management and accounting procedures needed to support the mission.

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (June 28, 2023) Commander Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Capt. Craig Mattingly presents the Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal to Navy Musician 1st Class Christopher Bettler during an all-hands call, June 28. NSTC supports naval accessions training for 98 percent of the Navys new officers and enlisted Sailors. This training includes the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at more than 160 colleges and universities across the country, Officer Training Command (OTC) in Newport, Rhode Island, Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navys only boot camp, as well as the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) citizenship development program at more than 600 high schools worldwide.

Team Charleston welcomes its newest honorary commanders at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Nov. 4, 2022. The purpose of the Honorary Commander program is to establish and maintain relationships with local civic leaders in order to increase public awareness of the Air Force missions and programs.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 23, 2022) - Rear Adm. Richard Seif, commander, Submarine Group Seven, right, and Erin Seif, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Honorary Chair of Volunteers, left, present a certificate of appreciation to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Petty Officer Ted Ponce Deleon, for his support raising funds during the 2022 NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive onboard Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, May 23. At the end of each ADFD season, NMCRS offices from around the world host an appreciation ceremony recognizing commands that have the highest donation per capita, the highest donation contribution, and outstanding command key persons for the Marine Corps and the Navy. NMCRS is a private, non-profit organization that has been financially assisting Marines, sailors and their families through interest-free loans and grants since 1904. For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleets forward-deployed nava

Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, coins Staff Sgt. Holly Ryan, Sept. 11th, 2022 for outstanding performance. Ryan is an emergency manager for the 131st Civil Engineer Squadron, Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri.

Nancy Maina, 2d Theater Signal Brigade Executive Assistant, received the Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal from Col. Ronald Iammartino Jr., 2d Theater Signal Brigade Commander, October 21, 2022 at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. Maina received the award in recognition of her contributions to the 2d Theater Signal Brigade

LTG Ronald J. Place, DHA Director, and SGM Isaac A. Bray, present the Field Grade Officer of the 2nd Quarter, Calendar Year 2022 Award to Major Theodore T. Urbano, United States Air Force Education and Training (J7). DHA holds quarterly recognition ceremonies to honor DHA employees across the enterprise for their dedication to the DHA mission: Unified. Ready. Reliable.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, presents a retirement plaque to Mr. Robert Martin, the director of budget and finance for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs during his retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Lathem, New York on October 28. Martin, who served in his position since 2022, is retiring after more than 30 years of New York State Service. (Division of Military and Naval Affairs photograph by Eric Durr)

Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss and Fort McCoy Garrison Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Chad Maynard present an employee with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works (DPW) with an award on June 1, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Thirty-one DPW employees received Army Civil Service Commendation and Achievement Medals for Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) support. OAW took place at Fort McCoy between Aug. 15, 2021, and Feb. 15, 2022. The installation supported the housing, processing, and relocating of approximately 13,000 Afghan guests who were airlifted from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Maj. Gen. Kerry L. Muehlenbeck, the Adjutant General of Arizona and State Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron P. Buelow present scholarship awards to winners along with the National Guard Association of Arizona and Enlisted Association of Arizona during the 2022 Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs Professional Development conference April 30, 2022 at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. The AZDEMA PD event is an annual event where state employees, Soldiers, and Airmen come to listen to speakers on a wide range of subjects to foster critical thought, learning, and inspiration.

WASHINGTON, DC (June 30, 2022) - Capt. Mark Burns (left), Naval Support Activity Washington commanding officer, frocks Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Katleen Puentes (right) to the rate of 2nd class during a ceremony held onboard Washington Navy Yard.

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