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First Air Force’s Historian Named Best in ACC

  • Published
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 1st Air Force's Historian is usually busy collecting information to record the accomplishments of the men and women of the First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) and the Continental NORAD Region to preserve their accomplishments. However, this time it is the historian who is recognized for his accomplishments.

Headquarters Air Combat Command announced the selection of Paul F. Armentrout, III, First Air Force Historian, as the recipient of the 2013 HQ Air Combat Command Albert F. Simpson Award, which recognizes a history office at the NAF, Center, or laboratory level. This award recognizes the single best periodic history above the wing level based on the quality and timeliness of the unit's periodic history and overall utility of the program and is named after Dr. Albert F. Simpson, the US Air Force's first historian from 1947 through 1969.

"I am honored to be recognized for this achievement," Armentrout said.

Completing the unit's period history is a lengthy process that covers all facets of the organization's operations, activities, personnel, and accomplishments. The First Air Force's annual history averages over a hundred pages of narrative along with supporting appendices related to the organizational lineage and honors, key personnel, manpower, and awards. The supporting documents run into the thousands of pages. Each one is collected, analyzed, and placed into context to tell the story of the men and women accomplishing the multitude of missions assigned to the First Air Force and all of the subordinate units.

While he is humbled for receiving the award he feels the true winners are the unit members.

"I am just the story teller of this amazing organization," he said. "I may write the history, but it is truly the men and women of 1st Air Force accomplishing the whole spectrum of our mission sets that deserve recognition."

Armentrout will now compete at the Air Force Level against the other MAJCOM Simpson award winners.