AFA honors Air National Guard members Published March 31, 2016 By Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air Force Association's D.W. Steele Sr. Memorial Chapter hosted the 14th Annual AFA Salute to the Air National Guard, recognizing personnel assigned to the National Guard Bureau during a March 30 ceremony at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. "This is our opportunity to say thank you for what you do every day, most of which may go unnoticed," said chapter president Michelle Ryan. "You're unsung heroes, and the glue that helps keep the Air Force moving forward... I know this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the talent in the Air National Guard." This year, the AFA honored 18 members of the ANG staff across a broad range of specialties for their dedication and outstanding contributions of the success of the ANG and the overall Air Force mission. The members honored were: · Master Sgt. Jennyfer Bjerken, manpower, personnel and services · Master Sgt. Elisabeth Miller, intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance · Maj. William Cox, air, space and cyber operations · Lt. Col. Ignacio Assaf, logistics · Maj. Glenn Milliken, plans and requirements · Master Sgt. Karen Marshall, communications · Maj. Kass Larson, installations and mission support · Lt. Col. Chad Tuttle, strategic plans and programs · Master Sgt. Kathryn Hannafon, command staff · Senior Master Sgt. Tracy Perkins, office of the director of the ANG · Maj. Dallas Little, office of the chaplain · Lt. Col. Laura Ambers, safety · Senior Master Sgt. Angela Walls, office of the Air Surgeon · Capt. Sharon Harris, financial management · Master Sgt. Timothy Whalon, human resources · Lt. Col. Karlyn Slaydon, office of the chief of the National Guard Bureau · Senior Master Sgt. Darllene Boydston, National Guard Bureau General Officer Management Office · Robert Banks, National Guard Bureau domestic operations and force development "Tonight, we're recognizing our action officers from each directorate," said Maj. Gen. Brian G. Neal, acting Director of the Air National Guard. "They really keep the airplane flying, so to speak. And quite frankly my hat's off to everybody who does the work all the time. We have outstanding Airmen in uniform and civilians [at the National Guard Bureau and Air National Guard Readiness Center] who do a great job, and I'm grateful to them." The AFA is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association that promotes a dominant Air Force and a strong national defense, and honors Airmen and our Air Force heritage.