Renovoa Native Andrew Ross Recognized by New York Air National Guard

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Senior Airman Andrew Ross

ROME, NY (01/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Senior Airman Andrew Ross, a Renovo native, has been named Outstanding Junior Enlisted Airman by the New York Air National Guard's Eastern Air Defense Sector.

Located in Rome, NY, the Eastern Air Defense Sector is responsible for coordinating the air defense of the United States east of the Mississippi.

Ross was recognized for his ability to quickly fix critical radar issues. Ross recently received his college degree in applied mathematics, graduating magna cum laude, and tutors junior college students in advanced mathematics in his spare time.

Senior Airman Andrew Ross, Renovo, Pa., Outstanding Junior Enlisted Airman. A cyber systems operations journeyman, Sr. Airman Ross

Ross was one of six Air National Guardsmen and one civilian employee recognized during the Eastern Air Defense Sectors (EADS) Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, Jan. 20.

Nearly 200 New York Air National Guardsmen, Canadian Forces members, federal civilians and guests were in attendance at the event.

"EADS' mission of protecting the eastern U.S. airspace requires consistent excellence from all of our staff," said Col. John Bartholf, EADS Commander. "Our 2011 award winners distinguished themselves by going above and beyond our high standards and I congratulate each of them on their outstanding accomplishments and thank them for their extraordinary efforts."

EADS employs more than 400 active-duty military, federal civilians, civilian contractors and part-time Air National Guardsmen and the unit recognized outstanding performers in seven categories. The categories were: company grade officer (junior officers below the rank of major), senior non- commissioned officer, noncommissioned officer, junior enlisted airman, and honor guard member and honor guard program manager. The outstanding civilian of the year was also recognized.

A number of distinguished guests also attended the awards banquet. Brig. Gen. Anthony P. German, Chief of Staff, New York Air National Guard (NYANG) and Chief Master Sgt. Richard, the NYANG's Command Chief, were in attendance. Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Guard Bureau, was the featured speaker.

The Eastern Air Defense Sector is headquartered at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Staffed by active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and a Canadian Forces detachment, the unit supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) integrated warning and attack assessment missions and the U.S. Northern Command's (USNORTHCOM) homeland defense mission. EADS is responsible for air sovereignty and counter-air operations over the eastern United States and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea.