"Home for the Holidays": 133rd Airlift Wing recognizes outstanding achievements

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kari Giles
  • 133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
St. Paul, Minn. --  The 133rd Airlift Wing held its annual Wing awards ceremony in 2012 in the north hanger Dec. 8, celebrating the accomplishments, deployments and great work the Wing has done. The event featured distinguished guests such as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Gov. Mark Dayton, and the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, Maj. Gen. Rick Nash.

The ceremony opened as the official party entered the packed hanger and the national anthem was sung and the colors were presented. After the introductions and formalities, Klobuchar was welcomed to the stage.

As she looked back at the achievements and awards this Wing has received in the last year she commented on the superior work and service of the Airmen sitting before her.

"You have gone above and beyond the call of duty and you have made this state proud," she said. Klobuchar ended by mentioning the wing's great success and how extraordinary it is that the Wing's 208th Weather Flight has won the National Guard Association of the United States Air Reserve Component Outstanding Weather Flight of the year for the second time in a row.

Nash also commented on the Wing's great success over the last year by congratulating the Airmen on the excellent rating that was received for the Combined Unit Inspections.
"This clearly shows that the 133rd Airlift Wing is prepared to perform your global military mission in war," said Nash.

"Excellence is a trademark for the 133rd," said Dayton, as he commented on the Wing's courage and dedication it has shown over the last year.

The ceremony highlighted the achievements of the Wing's outstanding Airmen, Senior Airman Lindsey Longtine of the 133rd Medical Group, Master Sgt. Ryan Fenton, first sergeant of the 133rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Master Sgt. Jessica Todd of the 133rd Force Support Squadron and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Ingvalson of the 133rd Communications Flight. These Airmen were officially recognized as the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2013. They will go on to represent the Wing in the state competition and if selected, go on to the national competition.The ceremony also recognized many other Airmen within the Wing that received national and local awards.

The ceremony ended with a holiday address by Col. Greg Haase, the commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing. This is a significant year he stated and is the first time since Sept. 11, 2001 that we have as few as 13 Airmen deployed. "It is truly is a time for celebration: home for the holidays."