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WADS wins four Washington Air National Guard awards

  • Published
  • By Kimberly D. Burke

Four members of the Western Air Defense Sector won in their respective categories during the 8th annual Washington Air National Guard awards banquet held at the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane, Wash., on Jan. 28.

Nominees for the state level awards 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 AFB; the 194th Wing, Camp Murray; and the Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Maj. Gen. Brett Daugherty, The Adjutant General, Washington; Brig. Gen. John Tuohy, the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Washington; and Chief Master Sgt. Max Tidwell, WA ANG Command Chief presented the awards.   Each winner received a Minuteman trophy, commander’s coins and a gift basket. 

There were nine awards categories with 20 individual nominations and three unit nominations. 

The WADS awards winners were:

Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year:
Tech. Sgt. Rivanita Noyes, NCOIC of training, weapons and tactics, 225th Air Defense Squadron

Honor Guard Member of the Year:
Royal Canadian Air Force Sgt. Yves Truchon, command and control battle management, 225th Air Defense Squadron (Canadian Detachment)

Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year:
Staff Sgt. Shawn Modjtabai, training and exercise planner, 225th Air Defense Squadron

Civilian of the Year:
Kimberly Burke, public affairs manager, 225th Air Defense Group

The award winners for the remaining categories were:

Airman of the Year:
Senior Airman Jeremiah Lefor, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, 194th Wing

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: 
Senior Master Sgt. Jason Witts, 194th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 194th Wing

First Sergeant of the Year: 
Master Sgt. Paul Sety, 141st Logistics Readiness Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Wing

Recruiter of the Year:
Tech. Sgt. Trevor Volack


Company Grade Officer of the Year:
Capt. Zachary Buckallew, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, 194th Wing

The Washington Air National Guard Outstanding Unit Award:
141st Logistics Readiness Squadron, 141st Air Refueling Wing