Mississippi Guard Airmen Receive National-Level Honors Published Feb. 11, 2026 By By Staff Sgt. Dakota Strait Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss. - Senior Master Sgt. Richard Cavenaugh and Master Sgt. Ronnie Allen of the 186th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) have been honored with national-level awards in their respective career fields. Cavenaugh is the 2025 Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems (RAWS) Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) of the Year, and Allen is the 2025 Air Traffic Control (ATC) SNCO of the Year. Both men serve in the 186th ARW’s 248th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron and were selected as award winners by the National Guard Bureau over nominees from 10 other Air National Guard units across the country. Cavenaugh was recognized as the SNCO of the Year in his career field after directing a symposium for RAWS personnel from other ANG units. The event brought military components together and helped ensure members were ready to deploy. He also helped 10 squadrons at the 172nd Airlift Wing reach 100% training compliance. “I strive to create lasting impact through deliberate improvements that set future airmen on a path to success,” Cavenaugh said. Allen was recognized as the ATC SNCO of the Year for his achievements and impact within his career field. He seamlessly integrated allied aircraft operations across complex airspace by managing large-scale radar operations, and his servant leadership also contributed to the 186th ARW’s mission to provide rapid global mobility and agile combat support to our state and nation. “Supporting successful operations and ensuring the safety of our crews is the most rewarding part of my career,” Allen said. These awards stand as powerful recognition of the 186th ARW’s unmatched excellence and reaffirm the Wing as the standard by which others are measured. “The recognition of Senior Master Sgt. Cavenaugh and Master Sgt. Allen as the Air National Guard's top SNCOs in their respective fields is a significant point of pride for our squadron,” said 248th CAOS Commander Lt. Col. Robert Stewart. “Allen’s leadership was pivotal in commanding vast multinational airspace during a deployment, while Cavenaugh’s initiative to command the first-ever RAWS symposium has set a new standard for enterprise-wide collaboration. Their accomplishments are a clear reflection of the high caliber of leaders within our squadron.” The 186th Air Refueling Wing provides over 1,100 personnel and eight KC-135R aircraft to Air Mobility Command for worldwide operations. Additional units at Key Field include the 238th Contingency Response Squadron, the 248th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron, and the 186th Air Operations Group.