DAF reveals 2025 top safety award winners

The Department of the Air Force has named its top safety performers for fiscal year 2025, recognizing Airmen, Guardians and units that embedded disciplined operations and rigorous risk management across mission planning, execution and assessment.

Brig. Gen. Otis Jones, the Department of the Air Force’s chief of safety, highlighted the essential role of these efforts. “Safety is more critical than ever as the Air Force and Space Force confront increasingly complex challenges,” he stated. “This requires a fundamental shift in our approach to risk management. The contributions of these awardees have safeguarded our most vital asset — our people — and preserve our combat capabilities for future conflicts.”

The annual awards span aviation, occupational, space and weapons safety, honoring individuals, teams and organizations for advancing a robust safety culture and preventing mishaps.

“The field of nominees was exceptionally competitive this year,” Jones remarked. “We congratulate the award winners for being at the forefront of safety innovation. Your dedication has directly enhanced our warfighting readiness, ensuring we continue to be the most powerful and effective Air Force and Space Force in the world.”

FY25 Safety Award recipients

– Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award: U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa

– Major General Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award: Air Education and Training Command

– Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy: Capt. Michael H. Cloninger, 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

– Colonel Will L. Tubbs Memorial Award for Occupational Safety: Air Mobility Command

Cross Functional
– Chief of Safety Special Achievement Award: 432nd Wing Safety, Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
– Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award Category I: 502nd Air Base Wing Safety Office, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas
– Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award Category II: 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D.
– Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award Category III: 36th Wing Safety, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
– Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award Category IV: 823rd RED HORSE Squadron Safety, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
– Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award Category V: 721st Air Mobility Operations Group Safety, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
– DAF Safety Civilian Professional of the Year Award: Tristan J. Streetman, 99th Air Base Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
– DAF Safety Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Award: Tech. Sgt. Nicholas G. Creighton, 721st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
– DAF Safety Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Award: Master Sgt. Adam M. Tallman, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan
– DAF Safety Officer of the Year Award: Maj. Justin D. Robins, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan

Aviation
– Chief of Safety Aircrew of Distinction Award: HAVOC 51 Crew, 20th Special Operations Squadron Safety, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
– Chief of Safety Individual Aviation Maintenance Safety Award: Tech. Sgt. Caleb A. Odom, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing Safety, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
– Chief of Safety Team Aviation Maintenance Safety Award: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WLN, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
– Aero Club Safety Certificates: Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.; Dover Air Force Base Aero Club, Dover Air Force Base, Del.; Kadena Aero Club, Kadena Air Base, Japan

Occupational
– Occupational Safety Career Professional of the Year: Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Necker, Space Launch Delta 45, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.
– Occupational Safety Civilian of the Year: Alexis B. Lynn, 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del.
– Bill R. Parsons Occupational Safety “Top” Team Award: 48th Fighter Wing Occupational Team, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England

Space
– Chief of Safety Outstanding Space Safety Program Award: Space Launch Delta 30 Safety Office, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
– Chief of Safety Individual Space Safety Award: Launch – Capt. Alexander J. Ciolek, System Delta 80, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
– Chief of Safety Team Space Safety Award: Launch – System Delta 80 Safety Team, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.; Orbital – 98th Space Range Squadron Engineering Flight, Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.; Test – Space Delta 12, Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.

Weapons
– Mr. Wilson Blount Award for Weapons Safety: Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces Weapons Safety, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
– Chief of Safety Individual Weapons Safety Award: Master Sgt. Anthony W. Shults, 352nd Special Operations Wing Safety, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England
– Chief of Safety Team Weapons Safety Award: 75th Air Base Wing Weapons Safety Office, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
– Chief of Safety Individual Nuclear Surety Award: Bobby S. Yen, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center/NIMES, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
– Chief of Safety Team Nuclear Surety Award: 90th Missile Wing Weapons Safety, F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.