87th APS Airman earns DG at ALS in Tennessee

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Staff Sgt. Ryan Henderson, 87th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation journeyman, left his mark in Tennessee June 7 when he completed Airman Leadership School at McGee Tyson Air National Guard, Tenn., and received the Distinguished Graduate Award. He was also nominated by his class for the Commandant Award.

Why did Henderson choose Tennessee to attend ALS?

"It was the timing. I spoke with my unit training manager and he looked up the dates for airman leadership school. The earliest one he found with room for me to attend was in Tennessee at McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base," Henderson said.

Henderson's ALS instructor, Staff Sgt. Nicole Lemieux, enjoyed having him in her class. She said any Airman would be lucky to call him their supervisor.

"Senior Airman Henderson's positive attitude and natural leadership ability speaks volumes. He gave 100 percent from day one, and it seems that he takes that motivation and applies it to everything he does," Lemieux said. "Leaders like that are few and far between and I know that given the opportunity to lead, he would shine.

Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski, 445th Airlift Wing command chief, praises Henderson for his achievements earned during ALS.

"Senior Airman Henderson continues to impress me. He has stepped up to the plate so many times to help out his fellow Airmen in this wing that it seems fitting he was recognized by his ALS peers and instructors," Rogowski said.

Now that's he's back in Ohio, Henderson has had a chance to absorb what he learned over the 5 1/2 week-long course and will apply it to his future endeavors. He's currently a member of the 445th Airlift Wing Airman's Council as well as the 445th Human Resources Development Council.

"I recommend ALS for any Airman who wants to go far in his or her career. By attending ALS in residence, you'll come away with a lot of information that you can't get through any other course. Plus you have the opportunity to interact with other people from all over. I had people in my class from Puerto Rico, Alaska," Henderson said.