The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance presented the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year awards to Clear Space Force Station Airmen and Guardians in Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 5, 2022. The annual MDAA-sponsored event honors the best Air and Missile Defenders from Alaska’s Army National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Alaska’s Air National Guard, and U.S. Space Force.
The 13th Space Warning Squadron, 213th Space Warning Squadron, and the 268th Security Forces Squadron Airmen from Clear SFS were amongst the honorees at the awards ceremony. Brig. Gen. Tracy Smith, assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, and Riki Ellison, President and Founder of MDAA awards, hosted and presented the awards during the ceremony.
"We’re winners and we associate with winners to win. You’re world champions, and there is no better place in the world to be right now than here in Alaska," said Ellison. "With what we're seeing, with proliferation, you have held the Homeland safe for 20 years. Alaska has been at the core of our national security for the U.S. Homeland all the way back in 1957."
The awardees from Clear SFS were Senior Airman Keeana Fielder of the 268th Security Forces, Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Ramirez of the 268th Security Forces Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Wesley S. Jordan of the 13th Space Warning Squadron, Lt. Jeffrey Dunagin of the 13th Space Warning Squadron, and Tech. Sgt. Aaron Trujillo of the 213th Space Warning Squadron.
Capt. Lee Dockery of the 213th Space Warning Squadron was the first ever Don Young Memorial Award recipient.
"I feel deeply honored to receive an award that pays tribute to Representative Don Young," said Dockery. "His legacy of contributions to our state, its people, and the Missile Defense mission will serve Alaskans and this great nation forever. I feel immense pride in knowing that what I do plays a role in the gift that he gave us."
The MDAA awards are presented to service members demonstrating leadership excellence in air and missile defense and directly contributing to the security of the United States homeland.
" 24/7 365 all weather all terrain - they see it, they warn it, they discriminate it and they share it from the top of the world into space for the national security of our Homeland making our nation safe," said Ellison.
Date Taken: | 11.17.2022 |
Date Posted: | 11.17.2022 17:02 |
Story ID: | 433473 |
Location: | CLEAR SPACE FORCE STATION , ALASKA, US |
Web Views: | 509 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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