HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The 419th Fighter Wing hosted its annual Outstanding Airman of the Year ceremony here Feb. 4, 2023. The ceremony was held in person this year after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 precautions. The wing honored its top performing Airmen and civilians of 2022.
Winners were announced in the following categories:
Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Tyler Lloyd, 419th Mission Support Group
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Charles Graf, 419th Mission Support Group
Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Strader, 419th Mission Support Group
First Sergeant of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Randy Hyer, 419th Mission Support Group
Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Tania Knight, 419th Medical Squadron
Field Grade Officer of the Year
Maj. Christopher Brown, 419th Operations Group
Team of the Year
419th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Flight
Civilian of the Year Category 2
Mr. Daniel Cortez, 419th Mission Support Group
Civilian of the Year Category 3
Mr. Mark Tappendorf, 419th Operations Group
Volunteer of the Year
Mrs. Kati Calhoun
Employer of the Year
First Step House
Diamond Excellence Award
MSgt Nicholas Polley, 419th Maintenance Group
Chiefs’ Award
SMSgt Scott Gatewood, 419th Maintenance Group
As the Air Force’s first combat coded F-35 Reserve Wing, the nearly 1,200 Reservists dedicate one weekend a month and two weeks a year serve the 419th Fighter Wing. These Reserve Citizen Airmen keeps these aircraft mission ready as a leader in air superiority.