WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Members and families of the 445th Airlift Wing, and local community leaders gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force April 5 to recognize the wing’s 2024 annual award nominees and winners.
About 40 Airmen and family members were honored at a medallion ceremony prior to the awards banquet. Col. Douglas A. Perry Jr., 445th AW commander, presented each nominee in attendance a 445th AW medallion.
The banquet began with nominees entering the room as part of the official party as the Chiefs Group formed a saber arch. The 445th Honor Guard posted the Colors and participated in a POW/MIA table demonstration. The Air Force Band of Flight’s rock band, Flight One, provided entertainment for the evening.
Awards were presented to Airmen, family members and the community partner, and event concluded with the announcement of squadron of the year.
The museum center stage echoed with sounds of various noisemakers as units cheered for their nominees.
Annual award honors were presented to:
- Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Brooks Lyle, 445th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Kayla Cornett, 87th Aerial Port Squadron
- Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Justin Van Niman, 445th Security Forces Squadron
- First Sergeant of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Mark Gehri, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Joel Russo, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Andrew Place, 445th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Recruiter of the Year: Master Sgt. Jeremy Mers, 445th Recruiting Squadron
- Honor Guard Member of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Clark, 87th Aerial Port Squadron
- Civilian of the Year CAT I: Ms. Bircan Benevich, 445th Airlift Wing Financial Management
- Civilian of the Year CAT II: Mrs. Anjanette Hairston, 445th Force Support Squadron
- Spouse of the Year: Dr. Kathryn Jordan, spouse of Tech. Sgt. Michelle Logan, 445th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Youth of the Year: Mr. Logan King, son of Mrs. Shanna King, 445th Force Support Squadron
- Community Partner of the Year: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Airman’s Attic
- Squadron of the Year: 445th Security Forces Squadron