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The Department of the Air Force has named the recipients of the 2025 Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Annual Awards, recognizing Airmen, Guardians and civilians for achievements in nuclear deterrence operations and the missile operations career field. The awards were presented April 16, with honorees drawn from major commands, field commands, unified combatant commands, and organizations including the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.
“The incredible accomplishments of our personnel across the nuclear enterprise continue to set the standard for excellence,” Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, deputy chief of staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, said in a statement. “I want to personally congratulate this year’s award winners, along with every Airman, Guardian, civilian and team nominated for their unwavering dedication to our strategic deterrence mission.”
Highlights from the 2025 Nuclear and Missile Operations Awards include:
– 13N Cadet of the Year: Cadet Crystian J. Montague
– 13N Operator of the Year: 1st. Lt. Shane E. Milton
– 13N Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Cody J. Swift
– 13N Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Scott A. Broberg
– General Thomas S. Power Award (Best Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew of the Year): 1st. Lt. Jacob R. Jenkins and 1st. Lt. Thales Santos
The 2025 Nuclear Deterrence Operations Awards recognized:
– Airman/Specialist of the Year: Senior Airman Brandon R. Burton
– Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Adan
– Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. Keith A. Folsom
– Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Joshua C. Chester
– Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Linh-Dan H. Trinh
– Senior Enlisted Reservist of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Uriel I. Vargas
– Reserve Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Joseph E. Baca
– Reserve Field Grade Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Ronnie R. Ling
– Senior Enlisted Guardsman of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Ashlea G. Woolverton
– Company Grade Officer Guardsman of the Year: Capt. Cassandra E. O’Connor
– Civilian of the Year, Category I: Whitney K. Garcia
– Civilian of the Year, Category II: Gitika Maheshwari
– Civilian of the Year, Category III: Derek B. Caduff
– Personnel Reliability and Assurance Program Manager of the Year: Master Sgt. Nieves A. Powell
Professional Team honors went to three organizations:
– Level 1: 48th Security Forces Squadron Surety Operations Team, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
– Level 2: Nuclear Surety Inspections Division, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
– Level 3: Nuclear and Strategic Capabilities Team, Headquarters Air Force, Plans and Programs, with contributors from Headquarters Air Force – Strategic Plans and Programs; Headquarters Air Force – Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration; and the Secretary of the Air Force – Acquisitions
The Nuclear Operations Awards Program has been administered and overseen by the deputy chief of staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force since 2014.
