HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SYRACUSE, N.Y (02/07/2014)(readMedia)-- More than 130 members of the New York Air National Guard will receive recognition for their service in a combat zone on Sunday, February 9 during the 174th Attack Wing Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony for all units here on the Air National Guard Base.

As part of the ceremony on Sunday, unit leaders will recognize the 174th Attack Wing Airmen of the Year.

WHAT: Presentation of the Air National Guard's Hometown Heroes recognitions for service in support of contingency operations at home and overseas since September 11, 2001.

WHO: More than 130 New York Air National Guard Airmen of the 174th Attack Wing, along with family.

WHERE: Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Main Hangar, 6001 East Molloy Road, Syracuse, N.Y.

WHEN: 9 a.m., Sunday February 9, 2014 for the Hometown Heroes ceremony.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

Interviews with New York Air National Guard Airmen who mobilized and served at home or overseas in support of overseas contingency operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom. Visuals of presentations of the wing "Airmen of the Year" and Hometown Heroes recognitions from unit leadership.

Photos of the wing's Airmen of the Year can be found on line at www.flickr.com.

Local media that would like to attend should contact Maj. Marcia Cole, (315) 952-7497 prior to Sunday at 8 a.m. Please arrive promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the Molloy Road gate for access to the Hometown Heroes ceremony.

BACKGROUND:

Hometown Heroes Program

The Hometown Heroes program recognizes Airmen who mobilized and supported contingency operations such as Operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan for 30 or more consecutive days either serving overseas or here in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001.

"We recognize the tremendous service and sacrifice of our Airmen and their families supporting the wide variety of missions here in the wing," said Col. Greg Semmel, 174th Attack Wing Commander. "Our Hometown Heroes salute is a great opportunity to thank them for that service."

Airmen receive a framed letter from the Chief of the National Guard Bureau containing a Hometown Heroes salute challenge coin. Children of the deployed Airmen will also receive unique Hometown Heroes Salute dog tags.

The Air National Guard initiated the program in August 2008 to celebrate and honor our Airmen, families, communities and those special supporters who have significantly contributed to supporting our Airmen and the Air National Guard mission.

Airmen of the Year Recognitions

Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Reinhardt

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing recognizes Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Reinhardt of Liverpool, N.Y. as the Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year on Sunday, February 9, during a ceremony held at the wing on Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y.

Reinhardt voluntarily deployed for a six-month deployment in 2013 to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he was assigned as the Chief of the Joint Defense Operations Center as a Battle Captain. He was responsible for the direction of an International Security Assistance Force that included 950 personnel from seven different nations.

Reinhardt controlled a 520-square kilometer ground defense area, ensuring the security of 26,000 coalition personnel and $50 billion in war fighting assets.

He ensured the coordinated responses to 20 Improvised Explosive Device and 17 Indirect Fire attacks.

Tech. Sgt Brent Wightman

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing recognizes Tech. Sgt. Brent Wightman of Syracuse, N.Y. as the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year on Sunday, February 9, during a ceremony held at Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y.

Wightman oversees the Squadron Standardization and Evaluation section, where he flawlessly tracked duty position qualifications for 85 personnel.

He is an avid community volunteer, supporting the local Salvation Army Distribution day and Habitat for Humanity projects.

Wightman was a key member of the Combat Arms cadre during a recent trip to Fort Indian Town Gap, Penn., assigned as the range Safety Officer where he safely oversaw the expenditure of 114,000 rounds of ammunition.

Tech. Sgt Thomas Spier

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing recognizes Tech. Sgt. Thomas Spier of Mattydale, N.Y. as the Honor Guard Manager of the Year on Sunday, February 9, during a ceremony held on Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. Spier coordinated and completed more than 587 Honor Guard events. His leadership in the Hancock Field Honor Guard Program, has left a profound impact on local families with lasting memories of honor and dignity for their fallen loved ones.

Airman Christopher Dorion

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing recognizes Airman Christopher Dorion of Clay, N.Y. as the Honor Guard Member of the Year on Sunday, February 9, during a ceremony held on Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. Dorion's exceptional performance and dedication to the Honor Guard Program was highlighted by his performing the most services as a volunteer to the program. Airman Dorion's dedication spreads beyond the installation as he volunteers in the community at his local church to assist parish members in the youth group drama club and local fundraising activities.

Master Sgt. Kim Lagoe

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing recognizes Master Sgt. Kim Lagoe from Cicero, N.Y. as the First Sergeant of the Year on Sunday, February 9, during a ceremony held on Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. Lagoe serves as the Operations Group First Sergeant where her duties span the unit's 27/7 mission, 365 days a year. Her vigilance and care has been instrumental in providing support to over 150 unit members, allowing them to maintain critical mission focus. Lagoe implemented health, wellness, and morale programs to ensure the well-being of members throughout the entire wing. Her enthusiasm and personal engagement provided all wing members with both an exemplary mentor and role model.

Senior Airman Drew Field

The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing recognizes Senior Airman Drew Field from Syracuse, N.Y. as the Airman of the Year on Sunday, February 9, during a ceremony held on Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. Field's stellar performance, initiative and leadership made him the top choice among his peers for this award. During the year, he stepped up to train a new unit Airman, whom he led to 100% combat mission ready status in only six months; half the allotted training time. He even filled the position of team NCOIC and ensured the successful operation and training for all members. He voluntarily deployed overseas to work in a Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) where he directed airpower support to coalition forces and citizens of Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of forward-deployed troops as well as successful delivery of necessary supplies.

Field's initiative did not stop at the base. In the community, he has participated in multiple charity events, including two benefit tournaments for Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Most recently, he led a charity initiative for a local cancer patient, with over $15,000 in donations collected. Field's professionalism, military bearing, and extreme initiative make him a role model to all those around him, both in the community and among his fellow military members.

The 174th Attack Wing

The 174th Attack Wing was established in 1947 as the first Air National Guard flying unit in New York State. It currently flies the state-of-the-art MQ-9 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The wing conducts its combat mission as well as its multiple training missions, including operating the Field Training Detachment (FTD) which trains all Air Force personnel on MQ-9 maintenance procedures, and the Formal Training Unit (FTU) which provides initial qualification training to MQ-9 aircrews.

Posted Friday February 07, 2014 at 12:30 pm by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Monday February 10, 2014 at 02:55 pm