Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

Senior Master Sgt. Mark E. Farmer, space systems operations superintendent with the 114th Space Control Squadron, Florida Air National Guard and the ANG Outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, gives remarks during the Focus on the Force Week “Outstanding Airmen of the Year Panel.” Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. The other OAY winners are Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Masters, Airman of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Jewell, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; and Senior Master Sgt. Jack Minaya, First Sergeant of the Year. Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

Chief Master Sgt. Ronald C. Anderson, the 12th command chief master sergeant for the Air National Guard, addresses recently promoted chief master sergeants during the Focus on the Force Week “Formers Panel.” Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

The Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year address ANG enlisted leaders during the Focus on the Force Week “Outstanding Airmen of the Year Panel. Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. The OAY winners are Staff Sgt. Jennifer Masters, Airman of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Jewell, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; Senior Master Sgt. Mark Farmer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; and Senior Master Sgt. Jack Minaya, First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Richard A. Smith, the 9th command chief master sergeant for the Air National Guard, responds to a question during the Focus on the Force Week “Formers Panel.” Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Masters, the Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year assigned to the 178th Wing at Springfield ANG Base, Ohio, asks a question during the Focus on the Force Week “Formers Panel.” The other OAY winners are Tech. Sgt. Nicholas P. Jewell, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; Senior Master Sgt. Mark E. Farmer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; and Senior Master Sgt. Jack N. Minaya, First Sergeant of the Year. Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

Retired Chief Master Sergeant James W. Hotaling, 11th command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard talks with the ANG’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the start of Focus on the Force Week. Focus on the Force Week is a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. The OAY winners are Staff Sgt. Jennifer Masters, Airman of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Jewell, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; Senior Master Sgt. Mark Farmer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; and Senior Master Sgt. Jack Minaya, First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

The Air National Guard's 2016 Outstanding Airmen of the Year tour the Pentagon and meet with Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, director of the Air National Guard, August 2, 2016. The event is part of the ANG's Focus on the Force Week, a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. The OAY winners are Staff Sgt. Jennifer Masters, Airman of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Jewell, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; Senior Master Sgt. Mark Farmer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; and Senior Master Sgt. Jack Minaya, First Sergeant of the Year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Hillier)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week

The Air National Guard's 2016 Outstanding Airmen of the Year tour the Pentagon and meet with senior ANG leadership, August 2, 2016. The event is part of the ANG's Focus on the Force Week, a series of events highlighting the importance of professional development at all levels, and the recognition of accomplishments throughout the enlisted corps. The OAY Winners are Staff Sgt. Jennifer Masters, Airman of the Year, 178th Wing, Ohio ANG; Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Jewell, Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky ANG; Senior Master Sgt. Mark Farmer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 125th Fighter Wing, Florida ANG; and Senior Master Sgt. Jack Minaya, First Sergeant of the Year, 162nd Wing, Arizona ANG. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Hillier)

Air National Guard's 2016 Focus on the Force Week, Day 2

Published Aug. 3, 2016
By Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air National Guard's Focus on the Force Week is underway at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here August 1-5.

The week is a five-day schedule of events highlighting the importance of professional development for Airmen at all levels, and recognition of their accomplishments through collaboration of leadership and subject matter experts including the ANG's four Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

The Airmen sat in on the Chief's Executive Course, which provides recently-promoted chief master sergeants with a broad view of total force operations at a strategic level. They also received a tour of the Pentagon, visiting the offices Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody, and Director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice. During dinner at Rice's home, they had the rare opportunity to share with him their personal experiences and opinions as enlisted members of the ANG.

Hosted by the office of the Air National Guard's Command Chief Master Sergeant, Ronald C. Anderson, week's events also include a meeting of the Enlisted Field Advisory Council and an all call at which Rice and Anderson will present the 2016 Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards to the top four members of the ANG.