EADS Airman named National Capital Region Air Defender of the Year

ROME, N.Y - A New York Air National Guardsman has been named the National Capital Region Air Defender of the Year by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.

Master Sgt. Kendrick O. Wilburn, the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Capabilities and Requirements at the 223rd Air Defense Squadron, received the award on May 31 during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Wilburn, an Alexandria, Virginia resident, was one of 20 Air Force and Army personnel recognized at the ceremony.

"Being named the best air defender in the Washington, D.C. area is a remarkable accomplishment and I congratulate Master Sgt. Wilburn on this achievement," said Col. Jennifer L. King, 224th Air Defense Group Commander. "The 223rd ADS plays a critical role in the National Capital Region's air defense and it is extremely gratifying to have an outside organization recognize Master Sgt. Wilburn's contributions to that mission."

Wilburn earned the award for his leadership, technical expertise and organizational abilities. Among the accomplishments noted by the MDAA were orchestrating Air Combat Command and Air Forces Northern technical conferences, establishing operational and maintenance priorities for a new $16 million camera and surveillance system, and leading 23 tests and developmental events.

Wilburn's instructional skills were also noteworthy. He trained and certified 95 Army National Guard soldiers for deployment and organized fitness and mental health initiatives.

The Eastern Air Defense Sector, headquartered in Rome, N.Y., is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and is responsible for the air defense of the homeland. The 224th ADG, an independent, wing-equivalent group of the New York Air National Guard, is located at EADS and provides the forces to conduct the air defense mission.

The 224th ADG has several squadrons and detachments. The 224th ADS, the 224th Support Squadron, the 224th Security Forces Squadron and a Royal Canadian Air Force detachment serve in Rome. Two geographically separated units, the 223rd ADS and the National Capital Region Coordination Center detachment, serve in the Washington, D.C. area.

For more information about the New York Air National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov. For more information on the Eastern Air Defense Sector and the 224th Air Defense Group, visit www.eads.ang.af.mil.

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