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Air National Guard announces Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Air National Guard Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va., April 17, 2026 — Air National Guard leaders announced the component’s top Airmen for 2026 today as part of the Air Force’s annual Outstanding Airmen of the Year competition.    

Representing the ANG this year are Staff Sgt. Eliza K. Cameron, Missouri National Guard; Staff Sgt. Brianna D. St. Lawrence-Brody, Montana National Guard, Master Sgt. Griffin R. Riedel, California National Guard, and Master Sgt. Joshua A. Blossom, Louisiana National Guard.

“Their superb contributions, unwavering professionalism, and exemplary leadership continue to brighten our force and inspire everyone around them,” said Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard, and ANG Command Chief Master Sgt. Josh Moore in a joint release. “Their achievements reflect not only their hard work, but the pride and spirit that make our Air National Guard team exceptional.”

The Airmen were selected among 28 regional winners to represent one of four annual award categories: Airman, Non-commissioned Officer, Senior Non-commissioned Officer, and First Sergeant.

Representing the Airman category, Cameron is a contingency and wartime planner for the 131st Logistics Readiness Squadron, 131st Bomb Wing, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Lawrence-Brody is a command post controller from the 120th Airlift Wing, Great Falls Air National Guard Base, Montana, and she will represent the NCO category. Riedel, representing the SNCO category, is a standards and evaluations flight chief from the 148th Space Operations Squadron at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Blossom hails from the 159th Mission Support Group at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, Louisiana, and will compete in the First Sergeant category.  

This year’s winners will move forward to compete at the Total Force Outstanding Airmen of the Year boards. The Air Force is expected to release the overall winners by early Summer.