419th honors year’s best at awards banquet

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  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The 419th Fighter Wing held its annual awards banquet Saturday at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center to honor its top military and civilian personnel.

 

Along with award presentations, the wing welcomed retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger as guest speaker.

 

In 1967, Bridger was flying combat missions in the F-4 Phantom when he was shot down and captured over North Vietnam. He was held as a prisoner of war in the “Hanoi Hilton” for 2,232 days. After his release in 1973, Bridger continued to serve until his retirement from the Air Force in 1984.

 

Bridger said one of the biggest lessons learned as a POW was the importance of holding on to shared American values in the face of adversity.

 

In all, nearly 300 Airmen, family members, and community leaders gathered to celebrate winners in the following categories:

 

Airman of the Year

Senior Airman Hayley Sewell, 419th Medical Squadron

 

Non-Commission Officer of the Year

Tech. Sgt. James Peterson, 419th Civil Engineer Squadron

 

Senior Non-Commission Officer of the Year

Senior Master Sgt. Noel Price, 419th Maintenance Squadron

 

Field Grade Officer of the Year

Lt. Col. Bart Wilbanks, 466th Fighter Squadron

 

Company Grade Officer of the Year

Capt. Sterling Broadhead, 67th Aerial Port Squadron

 

Civilian Category I of the Year

Kenna Waters, 419th Mission Support Group

 

Civilian Category II of the Year

Daniel Olvera, 419th Operations Support Flight

 

Civilian Category III of the Year

Seth Jordan, 419th OSF

 

Team of the Year

Production Generation Team

 

First Sergeant of the Year

Senior Master Sgt. Ruby Contreras, 67th APS

 

Employer of the Year

Delta Air Lines

 

Honor Guard Member of the Year

Master Sgt. Kevin Roper, 419th MDS

 

Chief’s Award of the Year for Excellence 

Senior Airman Michala Van Oosbree, 419th MXS

Diamond Excellence Award
Master Sgt. Wallace Kowis, 67th APS

 

Volunteer of the Year

Alyson Harrison