Airshow Awards & Citations
Technical Sergeant Alan Downs distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Air Operations Chief, 9th Operations Support Squadron, 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as Air Operations Chief, Sergeant Downs was responsible for the nine parachutist demonstrations for the air show which included nine jumpers and five aircraft spanning three services and the civilian sector. He recruited the support of U.S. Air Force SERE Test Parachutists from the 412th Operations Group at Edwards Air Force Base, California, to perform a parachuting demonstration wearing U-2 pressure suits, the first ever public demonstration of this kind. Moreover, he escorted a Drop Zone Survey team to certify a permanent military drop zone at Beale for the first time in over 50 years. During the event, Sergeant Downs actively participated in jump operations by preparing and checking equipment, correcting all deficiencies, and maintaining a one hundred percent safety record. Furthermore, over months of planning, Sergeant Downs navigated the training and administrative challenges of the airshow's para-operations vision in what amounted to a complex three day Joint Training Exercise. Lastly, he fostered valuable bonds with the Army, Marine Corps, and a variety of Air Force units and helped accomplish three Air Force firsts: a demonstration jump in U-2 pressure suits, U-2 pressure suit free fall dives, and SERE Test Joint Training Para ops during an airshow. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Downs reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Operations Support Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant Jessica Cloma distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as Air Show Scheduler, 9th Operations Support Squadron, 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, Sergeant Cloma attended three months of planning meetings and was the lead POC for scheduling all arrival and departure times to coincide with airshow static display parking arrangements. She sequenced arrivals, departures, taxi, and parking for 63 military and civilian aircraft. Moreover, Sergeant Cloma issued military airfield landing permits for 55 transient aircraft while ensuring that all 24 civilian aircraft attending had been issued Civil Aircraft Landing Permits prior to arrival. Furthermore, she worked with Air Traffic Control, Transient Alert, 9th AMXS, 9th Civil Engineering, and Wing Flight Safety to validate scheduling to ensure efficient aircraft parking traffic flow which resulted in zero ground delays while maintaining ten-minute aircraft arrival increments. Sergeant Cloma ensured all pilots were contacted and created procedures for flight planning for departures with Airfield Management and Air Traffic Control. During the airshow, she secured the ramp and assisted in the departure of five California Highway Patrol and California Fire aircraft. Additionally, she oversaw two mass casualty exercises, evaluating six Airmen on 31 tasks where she identified four deficiencies and briefed leadership on corrective actions to enhance safety protocols in preparation for the Beale Airshow. Through diligent planning, she developed and implemented comprehensive safety plans, coordinated with FAA and local emergency services, and conducted thorough pre-event airfield inspections to mitigate potential safety risks. Her hard work and attention to detail contributed to the success of the Beale Air & Space Expo for 25,000 airshow attendees. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Cloma reflect credit upon herself, the 9th Operations Support Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Captain Anthony Hunt distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Air Operations Team Lead, 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as the point of contact for the Air Operations Team, Captain Hunt was instrumental in the success of the airshow and the support of two performer units from Altus Air Force Base. His leadership enabled the use of heavy lift aircraft to support the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and transport critical supplies to Beale, and provide three substitute airdrops for seven U.S. Air Force SERE Specialist test parachutists when an Army HH-60 was unable to fly. In addition to his roles as the Altus Demo Team Support Representative and key liaison for 15 active duty performers, he connected the Civil Air Patrol to the airshow team through his extra-curricular role as Beale Air Force Base's Civil Air Patrol mentor in the local community. The Civil Air Patrol supported the airshow with dozens of cadets, an airplane, a booth, and an interactive STEM trailer. The cadets were critical to the management of the Performer tent, Thunderbird Friends and Family Tent, Distinguished Visitor Tent, and crowd control. Moreover, he served as a trusted sounding board to the Air Operations Director and made recommendations that saved the Air Force 21,000 dollars, contributing to Air Operations' success of over-delivering while staying under budget. Captain Hunt went above and beyond to help make the airshow a collaborative success, propelling the event to unprecedented success and attracting over 25,000 attendees in just three days. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Hunt reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and the United States Air Force.
Major Nicholas Beamer distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Deputy Director for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo, while assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as the Deputy Director for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo, Major Beamer was pivotal in the success of the airshow. His leadership guided 90 people through every aspect of planning, including long-range strategic planning, preliminary reconnaissance, and advocation for Beale Air Force Base at the International Council of Airshows, saving countless man-hours and averting critical airshow pitfalls. He helped guide 16 agencies across four Wings in the planning and management of a 1.2 million dollar budget and collaborated with the Beale Military Liaison Council (BMLC) to implement a no-fail ramp lease agreement for the airshow. The unique challenges presented by a Non-Federal Entity community organization partnership were swiftly overcome and enabled the airshow to secure top-tier sponsorship and concessionaire contracts. Additionally, he spearheaded the effort that won Air Combat Command approval for a rare dissimilar formation performance involving Beale's own U-2 and T-38 aircraft which heralded the legacy of reconnaissance in the skies over Beale to 25,000 airshow attendees. Moreover, he leveraged his personal relationships with the airshow community and capitalized on years of experience with aerial performances to garner the support and participation of high-quality civilian and military performers. Furthermore, he provided critical mentorship to the directors of Air Operations, Ground Operations, and Hospitality that directly resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback from performers, special guests, the media, and members of the community. The tremendous effects of Major Beamer's visionary contributions and leadership cannot be overstated. Major Beamer went above and beyond to help make the airshow a collaborative success, propelling the event to unprecedented success and attracting over 25,000 attendees in just three days. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Beamer reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and the United States Air Force.
Mr. Robert Tomasino distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Deputy Air Operations Director, 9th Operations Support Squadron, 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as the Deputy Air Operations Director for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo, Mr. Tomasino was instrumental in the success of the airshow. He helped lead a team of 59 people which included 37 active duty airmen and 22 contractors and managed a 1.2 million dollar budget, executing 39 contracts with seven modifications totaling 553,316 dollars. Mr. Tomasino conducted market research for civilian service contracts and developed and provided technical evaluation controls. He reached out to more than 20 military units and helped secure seven off-station aircraft. He was the sole manager for SAF/PA airshow operations at Beale and submitted official requests for aerial support to four sister services. Furthermore, Mr. Tomasino helped plan and coordinate the Air Boss performer briefings, managed aircraft arrival and bed-down operations on the flight line, organized the distribution of lunches and event day services for performers and static aircraft crews, and helped lead the Air Operations Team through all critical phases of planning, execution, and debrief. The Air Operations Team pushed the limits of possible by propelling three Air Force firsts across the finish line at Beale's airshow: first ever use of pyrotechnics for the Thunderbirds, first U-2 pressure suit para-operation demonstration for the general public, and first joint training para-operations demonstration ever done by U.S. Air Force SERE at an airshow. The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Tomasino reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Operations Group and the United States Air Force.
Captain David Breeze distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Air Operations Director, 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as the Air Operations Director for the 2025 Beale Air Force Base Air & Space Expo, Captain Breeze led a team of 59 people which included 37 active duty Airmen and 22 contractors, managed a 1.2 million dollar budget executing 39 contracts with seven modificaitons, and secured three sponsorships. In addition, he contracted all aspects of the airshow performance to include authoring the Statements of Work, conducting market reasearch, and providing technical evaluation to complete 12 civilian performer contracts, 10 military performer agreements, and four civilan service contracts. Moreover, he reached out to more than 135 military units and 55 civilian aviation organizations to recruit static aircraft and was responsible for obtaining 64 off-station aircraft. He developed the venue layout, the Hot Ramp plan, coordinated the plan for Beale's own fleet of aircraft and equipment, and led Civil Engineering's efforts to develop an ARCGIS map for the Airshow. Further, Captain Breeze facilitated the Air Boss performer briefings, coordinated with Fire and Safety to safely execute pyrotechnics, liaised with ACC for Risk Assessment approval, designated a new military Drop Zone, and facilitated MAJCOM waivers for aircraft ground movement and transient alert operations. Finally, he processed 183 DoD aircraft forms for off-station aircraft, coordinated the FAA Waiver memo, and hosted seven FAA representatives duing the event execution. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Breeze reflect credit upon himself, the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
First Lieutenant Joshua Werfel distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Civil Engineering Squadron Liaison, 9th Civil Engineering Squadron, 9th Mission Support Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, Lieutenant Werfel led the Civil Engineering Squadron's support efforts for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo. He lead a team of eight team leads and 236 Airmen engineers in the establishment of an events logistics plan to ensure the safeguarding of 25,000 visitors and 11 billion dollars worth of aircraft. Additionally, he coordinated with Headquarters Air Force and mission partners to secure and install a mobile aircraft arresting system for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and all other tail-hook equipped aircraft at an austere, off-site location. Furthermore, Lieutenant Werfel authored the water supply plan, partnering with six Wing entities for advice and approval for the provision of 30,000 bottles of water, 1,500 gallons of potable water, two water fountains, and three misting stations to reduce the hazard of heat-related injuries over a weekend with an average temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, he was charged with orchestrating a mass setup plan involving thousands of feet of concrete barricades which was executed efficiently and without injury. Lastly, he provided input and oversight of the NCOIC of master map creation which was the single source of data for ramp planning, venue layout, shuttle routes, emergency routes, and traffic lanes. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Werfel reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Civil Engineering Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant Daniel Keeling distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Ground Operations Director, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 9th Maintenance Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, Sergeant Keeling served as the Ground Operations Director for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo and expertly directed nine subcommittees comprised of 103 ground operations personnel through planning and execution. By identifying and communicating dependencies, Sergeant Keeling aligned 15 functional plans with the Wing's vision. Additionally, he oversaw the development of eight contracts, five memorandums of agreement, and 71,000 dollars in government purchases. His fiscal proficiency propelled the allocation of over half of the airshow's budgeted 1.2 million dollars, green-lighting a three-day event for 25,000 spectators. Moreover, Sergeant Keeling synchronized logistical requirements for the master concessionaire, 48 static aircraft, 11 air acts, and 12 contractors. His cumulative efforts honored Beale’s heritage and delivered a snapshot of its future by organizing the first public airshow debut of the YFQ-42 and YFQ-44. Lastly, Sergeant Keeling implemented a world class traffic and parking plan that maximized the efficiency of the installation's infrastructure and involved over 50 signs, thousands of cones, and 200 parking and traffic monitors. The plan was executed to perfection, receiving praise from leadership and the public alike and fostering a public image of disciplined command authority. His expertise, leadership, and creative problem solving was an invaluable contribution to the largest open house at Beale in seven years and demonstrated excellence in service. The distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Keeling reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant Travis Nunweiller distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Alternate Ground Operations Lead, 9th Civil Engineering Squadron, 9th Mission Support Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as Alternate Ground Operations Lead for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo, Sergeant Nunweiller spearheaded the Expo's security and logistical operations. He expertly implemented the barrier plan, protecting 25,000 visitors and 11 billion dollars in aircraft while procuring 12,000 dollars in resources for 250 volunteers and securing 8,700 dollars in vehicles. Additionally, he ensured execution of the water plan, distributing 1,500 gallons of treated water, as well as providing two locations of potable drinking fountains for 25,000 visitors. Furthermore, Sergeant Nunweiller augmented the waste management detail by removing over 24,000 pounds of garbage and recycling. Lastly, he helped secure electrical power for two OSI tents, four medical tents, and two high-traffic Entry Control Points. The hard work and dedication of Master Sergeant Nunweiller significantly contributed to the overall success of Beale's first airshow and largest open house event in seven years. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Nunweiller reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Civil Engineering Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant Christopher Freund distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Maintenance Director, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 9th Maintenance Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. During this period, as Maintenance Director for the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo, Sergeant Freund oversaw the development of the Beale Air & Space Expo aircraft parking plan and provided mentorship for the Air Operations Team during planning discussions. His involvement enabled seamless operations for the display of 48 static aircraft and 11 aerial performances over the course of the three-day airshow. Additionally, he led a team of 12 transient alert experts to develop and execute a plan for launch and recovery operations. His initiative and innovation were key to the development of a first responder hot ramp that exhibited six California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection assets while maintaining their active alert status, enabling their expeditious departure for two real-world responses during breaks in airshow performances. Furthermore, Sergeant Freund solicited and procured one hundred percent of all airfield ground equipment maintenance requests for eight types of military aircraft participating in performances plus another six special requests from static display aircraft. Sergeant Freund leveraged his experience, knowledge, and network of social relationships to procure equipment and supplies from numerous off-station locations to supplement Beale's inventory for the airshow, demonstrating creative problem solving and attention to detail. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Freund reflect credit upon himself, the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Captain Amanda L. Diaz distinguished herself by outstanding achievement as Assistant Director of Operations for Hospitality, Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas from 04 January 2024 to 09 March 2024. During this period, Captain Diaz oversaw the execution of two highly successful events for over 400 local community members, distinguished visitors and XXX performers. Additionally, her reliability, consistency of effort, and high degree of professionalism allowed her to overcome many unforeseen complications that were critical to our team's overall success throughout the airshow week. Furthermore, Captain Diaz expertly coordinated hosting responsibilities with 47 Wing Public Affairs, Wing Protocol, and Fiesta of Flight 2024 leadership to ensure a seamless day of operation for one hundred distinguished military and civic leaders. Finally, as the Assistant Director of Operations for Hospitality, her strong work ethic culminated in hosting the Fuerza Aerea Mexicana leadership team thereby supporting the NORTHCOM operational objective of furthering Air Force interoperability with a partner nation. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Amanda L. Diaz reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Scott R. O'Neil distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as the United States Air Force Thunderbird Ground Support Coordinator, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX. During this period, Sergeant O'Neil was directly responsible for maintenance support for seven Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft and 50 maintenance personnel. He coordinated the procurement of 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel used to add smoke effects during the air demonstration and to facilitate pilots' ability to rapidly align with each other in flight. Additionally, Sergeant O'Neil was the driving force for MacDill's annual "AirFest" Foreign Object prevention walk. He led over 500 personnel in policing the North and South Aircraft Parking Aprons, removing potential damage causing debris, and preventing an extended airfield closure. Sergeant O'Neil's outstanding efforts ensured a safe and successful event, and allowed the 6th Air Mobility Wing and its mission partners to showcase their capabilities for nearly 130 thousand visitors. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant O'Neil reflect credit upon himself, the 6th Air Mobility Wing, and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant Samuel M. Weir distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as NCOIC, Aerospace Medicine Clinic/Ambulance Services, 82d Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 82d Medical Group, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas from XXXXX XXXXX to XXXXX XXXXX. During this period, Sergeant Weir researched and coordinated medical coverage for the biannual air show. In preparation for the airshow, Sergeant Weir reorganized and integrated over 500,000 dollars in Homeland Defense Medical supplies for local use, improving access to and readiness of the supplies for possible real world use during the air show. His thorough attention to detail and dedication ensured the medical safety of over 24,000 military and civilian personnel. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Weir reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Aerospace Medicine Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
During this period, Sergeant Rasmussen served as the lead medical planner supporting the installation's largest Air Show and Open House in eleven years. In this role, he coordinated with eight sub-committees and over 500 augmentees to lay over five miles of barriers and create 37 acres of parking lots in preparation for the event. Additionally, Sergeant Rasmussen orchestrated five emergency response exercises aimed at intelligently posturing 190 Defenders, one hundred medical responders, and forty eight firefighters, a vital step towards providing care to seventy four patients while simultaneously ensuring the security of the installation with zero incidents during the three-day event. Moreover, his efforts resulted in over four thousand privately owned vehicles parked, 1.2 million pounds of cargo moved, thirty thousand miles driven, and fifty six thousand gallons of jet fuel issued to performers. Furthermore, Sergeant Rasmussen's efforts directly contributed to the launch of forty one distinct aircraft, over eighty two sorties with zero safety incidents or regulatory violations. Finally, the performance was viewed by twenty eight thousand spectators, reached an audience of 994,000 people through social media engagement, and resulted in 318,000 dollars in concessions and premium seating sales. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Rasmussen reflect great credit upon himself, the Medical Squadron and the United States Air Force.