Team Kingsley honors annual award winners

– Each year the 173^rd Fighter Wing and Oregon Air National Guard honor the top performers from around base and select superior performers to represent the wing. To honor the recipients of these awards, as well as the entire wing, organizers put together an awards ceremony held April 15, 2023, on a surprisingly warm spring day at the base. 

“Even though our success comes from the team overall, we honor those who stood out as above-and-beyond this past year,” said Col. Lee Bouma, the 173^rd Fighter Wing commander. “A special thank you for your service and dedication to the defense of America,” he added addressing the members of the wing assembled on the north lawn.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of the colors by the Kingsley Field Honor Guard, the singing of the National Anthem, by Tech. Sgt. Cassondra Patterson, 173^rd Maintenance Operations Flight. Capt. Shane Coker, 114^th Fighter Squadron, narrated the event.

Bouma congratulated the winners and emphasized the importance of every member of Team Kingsley. “The contributions of Team Kingsley impact not only our community, but the state, nation, and even the entire world. Thanks to everyone on the team for your service, it couldn’t be done without you.”

The 2022 173^rd Fighter Wing Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

Category I – Airman 1^st Class Mariana Cruz Ruiz from the Mission Support Group

Category II – Tech. Sgt. Michelle Christie from the Comptroller Flight

Category III – Master Sgt. Tristan Ritter from the 270^th Air Traffic Control Squadron

Company Grade Officer of the Year – Capt. Brandon McGraw from the Maintenance Operations Flight

Field Grade Officer of the Year – Maj. Kristine Raudy from the Medical Group.

Wing-level winners went on to compete at the State level and Team Kingsley Airmen were selected in several categories. 

The 173^rd Maintenance Group was named the Oregon Air National Guard Outstanding Unit of the Year.  Lt. Col. Kristopher Wolfram, the 173^rd Maintenance Squadron commander, accepted the award on behalf of the entire maintenance group. He thanked the team for everything they had done over the past year.

State level awards include:

Oregon ANG Field Grade Officer of the Year – Maj. Kristine Raudy from the Medical Group.

Maj. Gen. Chester E. McCarty Superior Performance Award: Logistics & Transportation: Senior Master Sgt. James Childs, 173^rd Logistics Readiness Squadron

Maj. Gen. Chester E. McCarty Superior Performance Award: Maintenance: Senior Master Sgt. Jay Bosse, 173^rd Maintenance Operations Flight

Maj. Gen. Chester E. McCarty Superior Performance Award: Medical: Airman 1^st Class Mikayla Coleman, 173^rd Medical Group

Maj. Gen. Chester E. McCarty Superior Performance Award: General: Senior Airman Maranda Glasow, 173^rd Force Support Flight

First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Caleb Coaty, 173^rd Maintenance Group

Brig. Gen. Cunningham “Wingman” Award: Staff Sgt. Thomas Luna, 173rd Communications Flight

Civilian Employee of the Year: Mr. Troy Lukens, Fighter Wing Staff

Additionally, group-level award winners were recognized.

The 173^rd Chief’s Advisory Council hosted a tri-tip barbeque at the Kingsley Field Social Club, to celebrate the accomplishments of those who were recognized as well as the effort of the entire wing.