Air Force honors four airmen with Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award

The Air Force honored four Airmen for exceptional leadership at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes on May 26, presenting the 2026 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Awards in a ceremony hosted by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach.

“Captain Lance Sijan represents the very best of what it means to serve in the Profession of Arms,” Wilsbach said. “His legacy is still so impactful because the qualities he lived by are the same qualities we want the Airmen in our Air Force to embody today. He lived the Code of Conduct. He resisted by every means available, continually looked for opportunities to escape, and refused special favors from the enemy. And through these challenges, Captain Sijan remained committed to his fellow Airmen and to his country.”

The award, named for Capt. Lance P. Sijan—a fighter pilot posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism and resilience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam—recognizes one senior officer, one junior officer, and a senior and junior enlisted member whose leadership exemplifies the service’s highest standards.

This year’s senior officer honoree, Maj. Joe Goliber, serves as chief of the advanced training division for Air Forces Central. He oversaw more than 30 security cooperation events across 13 nations and completed an exchange tour flying F-16s with the United Arab Emirates Shaheen squadron, where he helped develop partner pilots and employ combat airpower alongside allies.

Capt. Megan Langas, an F-16 electronic combat pilot and flight commander with the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, earned the junior officer award. She led 17 fighter pilots and managed 13 combat sorties that resulted in the award of more than 15 Combat Action Medals to her crew.

Chief Master Sgt. William Brakebill received the senior enlisted award for his leadership at the 3rd Special Operations Squadron, where he guided 1,400 personnel through the wing’s largest deployment. He was recognized as Air Force Special Operations Command’s 2024 “Red” Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aviator and contributed to the General Welsh Total Force Integration Team of the Year.

The junior enlisted award went to Master Sgt. Steven Nelson, flight chief and wing survival, evasion, resistance and escape superintendent at the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron. He led the Air Force’s largest operational SERE flight, directing worldwide training and deployments, and revamped the career field’s training standards to set a new service-wide benchmark.

“The Airmen we recognize today have demonstrated exceptional leadership through mission accomplishment, problem solving, perseverance and service to others,” Wilsbach stated. “Each of you has made an impact on your units, your teammates and the mission. Your actions strengthened readiness and helped generate combat power for our Air Force.”

Janine Sijan, the late captain’s younger sister, attended the ceremony, continuing her efforts to share her brother’s story with new generations of Airmen. “Grief changes shape through years,” Janine said. “Love endures and stays steadfast and constant. Once I learned to overcome my grief, I knew what I needed to do. I needed to continue to share his story, continue (to myself) think if he could do that – I could do ‘this.’ What is your ‘this?’ Everyday your ‘this’ will change in small, medium and large ways, but I ask you to consider if he could do that, then I can do ‘this’.”

Wilsbach closed by tying the honorees’ achievements to the award’s namesake. “To have your name associated with one of the greatest heroes in Air Force history is one of the highest honors our service can give you,” he said. “Leaders like you ensure that legacy continues and help keep the United States Air Force the most capable and respected force in the world.”