Master Sgt. Brian Monson, the senior non-commissioned officer of the year, represented the 173rd fighter wing as its maintenance ambassador while training the Israeli Air Force on 20mm Gatling gun maintenance. He also contributed to the wing receiving an excellent rating on the 2017 quality assurance inspection as well as being personally responsible for saving an aircraft from a possible inflight emergency when he identified and reported faulty wing pylon fuel connections to the air force engineering level. Monson is also an active volunteer for events here locally, the local food bank and also volunteers in support of the State Awards Banquet.