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BGen Allen Herritage sent the following message to the PA family on April 7, 2025. AFPAA joins Gen Herritage in saluting all the award winners:
Teammates,
It is my honor to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2024 Air Force Public Affairs Chief Master Sergeant Douglas W. Morrell Media Awards!
Our public affairs and band professionals across the Air Force and Space Force provide unique capabilities to commanders as part of the information warfare team, namely organic expertise in content creation. This year's exceptional quality of entries is a testament to their dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Thank you all for your tireless efforts.
To our winners listed below: Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! We wish the best of luck to the "of the Year" winners as you represent the Air Force in the Department of Defense-level competition at the Defense Media Awards. We are incredibly proud of your achievements.
NOTE: Categories with an asterisk (**) will be forwarded to the DoD Defense Media Awards. All the “of the Year” winners are authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon (military) or Lapel Pin (civilians). A letter will be sent to each of the individuals to take to their respective MPF for the award to be added to their records.
**Communicator of the Year
TSgt Alexander Cook, 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs, McDill AFB, FL (AMC)
Photo Categories
**Civilian Photographer of the Year
Mr. William Lewis, 57th Wing Public Affairs, Nellis AFB, NV (ACC)
**Military Photographer of the Year
TSgt Devin Boyer, 23rd Wing Public Affairs, Moody AFB, GA (ACC)
New Photographer of the Year
SSgt Jennifer Healy, 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, SC (AFRC)
Feature Photo
SSgt Michael Richmond, 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs, F.E. Warren AFB, WY (AFGSC)
News Photo
SSgt Alex Stephens, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, Hurlburt Field, FL (AFSOC)
Photo Series
SSgt Aaron Irvin, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, SC (AFPAA)
Portrait
SrA Albert Morel, 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Spangdahlem AB, GE (USAFE)
Sports Photo
SSgt Michael Richmond, 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs, F.E. Warren AFB, WY (AFGSC)
Graphics Categories
**Civilian Graphic Designer of the Year
Mr. Desmond Brittle, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (AFMC)
**Military Graphic Designer of the Year
SSgt Kasie Faddis, 117th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs, Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base, AL (ANG)
Animation
SSgt Kevin Long, 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs, RAF Mildenhall, UK (USAFE)
Digital Art
SrA Mitchell Corley, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, SC (AFPAA)
Identity Design
Mr. David Perry, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Hill AFB, UT (AFMC)
Layout & Design
SrA Zachary Nordheim, 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Tyndall AFB, FL (ACC)
Photo Illustration
SSgt Natalie Fiorilli, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs, Hurlburt Field, FL (AFSOC)
Video Categories
**Civilian Videographer of the Year
Mr. Taylor Curry, 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX (AETC)
**Military Videographer of the Year
SrA Mason Hargrove, 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Luke AFB, AZ (AETC)
New Videographer of the Year
A1C Timothy Perish, 57th Wing Public Affairs, Nellis AFB, NV (ACC)
Audio Product
Mr. Julian Hernandez, 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs, JBSA-Lackland, TX (AFRC)
Long-form Production of the Year
158th Fighter Wing, Burlington Air National Guard Base, VT (ANG)
Multimedia Product
SrA Jacob Wood, 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Yokota, JP (PACAF)
Short-form Production Video
I.G. Brown Training & Education Center, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base TN (ANG)
Video Documentation (B-roll)
SrA Christopher Omelas, 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs, Vance AFB, OK (AETC)
Video Series
Mr. Robert Dantzler, Air University Public Affairs, Maxwell AFB, AL (AETC)
Video Spot
SSgt Jordan Garner, 36th Wing Public Affairs, Andersen AFB, Guam (PACAF)
Video Story
TSgt Cynthia Belio, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Ramstein AB, GE (USAFE)
Written Categories
**Civilian Writer of the Year
Mr. Glenn Robertson, 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs, F.E. Warren AFB, WY (AFGSC)
**Military Writer of the Year
A1C Eve Daugherty, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Ramstein AB, GE (USAFE)
New Writer of the Year
A1C Tori Haudenschild, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, Hurlburt Field, FL (AFSOC)
Commentary
A1C Christopher Lyons, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, SC (AFPAA)
Feature Story
SSgt Natalie Rubenak, Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs, Peterson Space Force Base, CO (USSF)
Information Story
A1C Paula Arce, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs, McConnell AFB, KS (AMC)
Photojournalism
SSgt Marco Gomez, 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Dover AFB, DE (AMC)
Music Categories
**Musician of the Year
SrA Michael Gatch, Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
**New Musician of the Year
SSgt Marik Chrisman, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Live Recording Instrumental
"Normandy, 1944", USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
Live Recording Vocal
"Lose Control", The United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson Space Force Base, CO
Studio Recording
"Spin-Out", The United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson Space Force Base, CO
Large Instrumental Composition or Arrangement
"Rejoicing Rise", SrA Benjamin Roberts & A1C Albert “JR” Alberto, USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
Small Instrumental Composition or Arrangement
"Pacific Fanfare", SSgt Colby Parker, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, JP
Jazz Instrumental Composition or Arrangement
"Bad Impressions", TSgt Matthew Horanzy, The United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson Space Force Base, CO
Original Popular Song
"EXIT: Big World", SSgt Marik Chrisman, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Music Video Production or Livestream, Short-form
"The New Colossus", USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
Music Video Production or Livestream, Long-form
"May 1, 2024 Livestream featuring TSgt Meghan Yankowskas", USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
****
Very Respectfully,
Allen Herritage, Brigadier General, USAF
Director, Public Affairs
Department of the Air Force
The Lieutenant Colonel selection list was released on on April 4, 2025, and thirteen PAs were selected for promotion. AFPAA congratulates the selectees:
Leah Brading, Marine Command and Staff College, MCB Quantico
Alexis Burdon, SAF/IA Military Personnel Exchange Program, Pentagon
Latisha Cannon, SAF/PA, Pentagon
Hope Cronin, 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath
Candice Dillitte, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB
Nicole Ferrara, National Defense Fellowship-New America, Washington, D.C.
Korey Fratini, 3rd Audiovisual Squadron, JBSA-Lackland
Andrew Gay, SAF/PA Strategy & Assessments Division, Pentagon
Christopher Mesnard, Special Operations Command Korea, Camp Humphreys
Lauren Ott, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB
Kay Nissen, 2nd Audiovisual Squadron, Hill AFB
Keavy Rake, 1st Air Force, Tyndall AFB
Joost Verduyn, 15th Air Force, Shaw AFB
The Senior Master Sergeant promotion list was released on February 28, 2025, and twelve very deserving PAs will be pinning another stripe. AFPAA congratulates the selectees:
Bryan Franks – Space Base Delta 1, Peterson SFB, Colo.
Katherine Holt – Office of the CMSAF, Pentagon, Washington DC
Douglas Kost - USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Ill.
Christine Lightner - The USAF Band, JB Anacostia-Bolling, Washington DC
Jess Lightner - The USAF Band, JB Anacostia-Bolling, Washington DC
Kenneth Norman – 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Matthew Peacock - USAF Band of the West, JBSA Lackland, Texas
Gregory Pflugh - USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Benjamin Polk - The USAF Band, JB Anacostia-Bolling, Washington DC
Jerilyn Quintanilla – 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, South Korea
Breeann Sachs – 319th Reconnaissance Wing, Grand Forks, N.D.
Andrew Satran – 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano AB, Italy
Congratulations to the Reserve PA Lieutenant Colonels listed below who have been selected for promotion to Colonel:
Melissa Burton, 310 MSG/CC
Kimberly Champagne, SAF/PAX (Air War College student)
Erin Dorrance, SAF/PAX
Shane Huff, SAF/IA (SECDEF Fellow)
Nicholas Strocchia, ACC/PA
Update: On January 7, 2025, became SAF/PA Director and pinned on Brigadier General
On April 9, 2024, SAF/PA Director Mr. Jerry Renne sent the following good news to the PA family:
Today the Air Force announced the results of the CY23 Air Force brigadier general promotion board, and I could not be happier to announce the selection of Colonel Allen Herritage, SAF/PA’s principal deputy director!
From his initial assignments at Nellis, Langley and Seymour-Johnson, to being forged in the fire on multiple deployments and as PA advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff, to leading PA ops at Alaskan Command and at USAFA, Colonel Herritage has earned a reputation as an outstanding leader and stellar PA.
A graduated combat camera squadron commander, he led Air Combat Command PA before serving as the mission support group commander at the 633d Mission Support Group at Joint Base Langley-Eustis before returning to the Pentagon in 2022.
Col Herritage, our entire team joins me in congratulating you on this well-deserved recognition of your tremendous leadership, exceptional performance, and consummate professionalism. It is also a strong message reflecting our senior leaders’ confidence in your ability to take on our Department’s toughest challenges.
Without a doubt, our entire team is proud of you and salutes your achievement as we express gratitude for all you do for our Air Force and Space Force and our career field every day!
What a great day to be an Airman and Guardian!
VR // Jerry
Jerry Renne, SES, DAF
Director, Public Affairs
Department of the Air Force
April 3, 2025 — In this week’s look around the Air Force, Dr. Troy Meink testifies before a Senate committee regarding his nomination to be Air Force secretary; aircrew members can take the annual Aircrew Engagement Survey; and Red Flag 25-2 provides realistic, high-end training for airmen and partner nations.
Everyone’s journey to becoming an Airman looks a little different. Follow five trainees as they go through the eight weeks of Basic Military Training and embark on their journey in the United States Air Force.
"BASIC: Journey to Airman" is an eight part documentary series presented by Air Force Recruiting Service and produced by the 3rd Audiovisual Squadron. Except for the short introductory teaser, each chapter — one for each the eight weeks of basic training — runs approximately 45 minutes. For a great reminder of what you may vividly remember (or want to forget!) and an update of what's new and different, taking the time to view this outstanding production is definitely worth it.
From SAF/PA and AFNS -- In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of
World War II, the U.S. Air Force video production team produced an
Emmy® Award winning video series to highlight the Tuskegee Airmen
and their impact on the war, and society as a whole.
“The Red Tail Angels” documentary series showcases the hardships,
struggles and ultimately the successes of the Tuskegee Airmen.
“The Tuskegee Airmen represent a part of American history, which for
far too many years languished in obscurity after WWII,” said Anthony
Young, Air Force Television senior producer. “This documentary is an
attempt to tell their story through the words of those who lived it,
highlighting not only the obstacles they faced, but the perseverance
they exhibited in overcoming it. Though they have been revered for
their exploits during the war, I think their legacy is evident not
only throughout the U.S. armed forces, but within society as a whole,
given the many doors their success has led to the opening of.”
With a salute to the Tuskegee Airmen for their sacrifice and courage,
and a well done to the Air Force Television team for their Emmy®
winning work telling the story of these brave men, AFPAA is pleased
to present all three episodes of "Red Tail Angels" here. Each epidode
runs between 24 to 30 minutes in length.
Episode 1 ...
Episode 2 ...
Episode 3 ...
Capitalizing on the box office success of the movie Top Gun: Maverick, the Air Force released a recruiting commercial sure to attract attention and the interest of potential recruits. The Air Force said that the "heart-pounding, adrenaline inducing ad gives the audience a sense of what it might feel like to be on the receiving end of the Air Force’s might and accentuates the importance of airpower in America’s security."
“The intensity of this spot is stunning so hold on to your popcorn because we are bringing the Air Force to your seat,” said Maj Gen Ed Thomas, (now retired) Air Force Recruiting Service commander and former SAF/PA director. “We want to get Americans excited about what it means to serve this great nation. There are more than 130 career options an Airman can take on their full or part-time journey to defend our skies. The air superiority in this video just gives you a glimpse of a small percentage of what is possible when you join us.”
Fasten your seat belt before clicking the play button...
“Rebels to Reels” is the fascinating true-life story of Dan McGovern, the US Army Air Forces Combat Cameraman who filmed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki only weeks after devastating atomic bombs were dropped on those Japanese cities. This three-part, 450 page, highly researched biography contains numerous accounts of interest to any PA or military history buff, including how the definitive footage of the atomic aftermath we have today was shot, and the efforts of McGovern to save that footage for posterity.
To say McGovern lived an eventful life would certainly be an understatement. After the Irish-born cameraman joined the Army Air Forces, he set up the First Motion Picture Unit (FMPU) Combat Camera school in California and trained World War II’s first cadre of USAAF cameramen before deploying to England himself, where he flew and filmed B-17 missions. After Europe, it was on to his amazing experiences in Japan, and a remarkable post-war career.
Written by Joseph McCabe, who grew up in the same small town in Ireland as McGovern, “Rebels to Reels” was published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Eighth Air Force and the 75th anniversary of the formation of the US Air Force. Dedicated to Combat Camera men and women past, present, and future, the book provides fascinating insights into how combat footage is and was filmed, the Eighth Air Force, World War II, and how the US Air Force of today came into being.
You can learn more about the book, and the life and career of Combat Cameraman Dan McGovern it chronicles, on the book’s companion website, which also contains video of some great combat footage. The book is available for purchase there, or on Amazon.
From: AF News Service
By: Charles Pope
Secretary of the Air Force
Office of Public Affairs
May 29, 2020
All stanzas of the Air Force song have been updated to better capture
and represent the valor and heritage of the 73-year-old service while
also recognizing the diversity and contributions of today’s Total
Force regardless of gender.
The announcement by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein,
completes a two-step process in which male-only references were
revised to capture the distinguished service, the high standards, and
central role that women play in every facet of the modern United
States Air Force.
The first step focused on changing the song’s third verse, which also
serves as the official song of the United States Air Force Academy.
Goldfein unveiled those new lyrics in March and suggested that
additional changes to remove the remaining male-only references would
be made at a later date and after further review.
The updated lyrics include subtle but important changes that more
accurately illustrate the role women have played for decades.
“These new lyrics speak more accurately to all we do, all that we are
and all that we strive to be as a profession of arms,” Goldfein said.
“They add proper respect and recognition to everyone who serves and
who has served.”
At the same time, Goldfein re-emphasized the careful consideration
that went into the decision for whether, and how, to change the
lyrics.
“I also know with absolute certainty and clarity that these changes
are about adding to, not subtracting from, who we are,” he said.
“Changing the lyrics in no way diminishes the history and
accomplishments of men or dilutes our eternal gratitude for their
sacrifice and bravery.”
The complete new lyrics are:
Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At ‘em now, Give 'em the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Verse II
Brilliant minds fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue;
Valiant hands blasted the world asunder;
How they lived God only knew!
Boundless souls dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before and bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Verse III
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of those we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
Verse IV
Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true;
If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue!
Fly to fight, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on.
Oh, nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Lyrics printed with permission from Carl Fischer, LLC.
The U.S. Space Force has officially adopted its own song, titled “Semper Supra.” It was unveiled during the September 2022 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
Here's a video with the lyrics, and introductory remarks by General Jay Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations: