…And the 2019 Annual Award winners are!

Members of the 944th Fighter Wing put on their best attire to honor the outstanding achievements of the hardest working and most dedicated Airmen during the 2019 944th FW Annual Awards banquet, Feb. 8, at the Wigwam Resort.

This years’ guest speaker was former Navy Fighter Pilot, Prisoner of War and Hall of Fame Speaker, Captain Charlie Plumb. While in nearly six years of captivity, Plumb kept in contact with his fellow POWs by use of underground communications and served as the chaplain of his camp for two of those six years. He shared his journey and the lessons he learn that have pushed and shaped his life.

“I am convinced that if you really believe that there’s value in every experience, good or bad, and then challenge yourself to find the value within that experience, you’ll find it,” Plumb said. “If you can do that, you can do anything.”

After hearing the gut-wrenching true story of one man’s resiliency, the Airmen who stood out in the unit as the best of the best were announced.

The winners are…

Airman of the Year: SrA Zackery Foulk - 944th CES
Non Commissioned Officer of the Year: TSgt Luis Granado - 924th MXS
Senior NCO of the Year: SMSgt Isaac Lambuth - 414th MXS
First Sergeant of the Year: SMSgt James King - 944th MDS
Instructor Weapons Systems Officer of the Year: Maj Brian Privette - 307th FS
Instructor Pilot of the Year: Maj Nicholas Rallo - DET 2 944th OG
Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt Rachel Whisenand - 944th ASTS
Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj Gena Fedoruk - 944th FW
Junior Civilian of the Year: David Gibson - 924th FG
Senior Civilian of the Year: Charles Tehan - 944th MSG

To close out the ceremony the 944th FW Commander, Col. James Greenwald shared his final thoughts.

“We’re here to celebrate the part of our culture that allows us to overcome adversity,” Greenwald said. “I’m incredibly impressed by the accomplishments of these Airmen and even more than that, I’m excited about what’s in front of us.”