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Annual Awards Program
The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) Wright Memorial Chapter (WMC) proudly recognizes excellence, leadership, and community impact across the Dayton and Miami Valley region. Through our Annual Awards Program, we honor the outstanding achievements of individuals who exemplify service to the Air and Space Forces, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), and our surrounding communities.
Our awards celebrate those who strengthen the bond between the military and the community, advance aerospace education, and inspire future generations of Airmen, Guardians, and cadets. In addition to honoring distinguished professionals, AFA WMC supports the next generation of leaders through AFROTC, AFJROTC, and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadet awards presented each year.
AFA WMC Annual Awards Categories
The AFA WMC proudly presents four distinguished annual awards—the Ambassador, Heritage, Legacy, and Enlisted Awards—each recognizing exceptional contributions to the Air and Space Forces community. These honors are presented annually at the Air Force Ball, celebrating excellence, leadership, and service across the Dayton and Miami Valley region.
Ambassador Award
The Ambassador Award recognizes an individual who has served as an outstanding advocate for the Dayton and Miami Valley military community. Recipients demonstrate exceptional leadership in economic development, military and Air Force support—particularly in connection with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—and legislative or civic efforts that have directly benefited the base, Springfield Air National Guard Base, and their personnel.
Heritage Award
The Heritage Award honors a U.S. Air Force member whose actions and leadership have left a significant and lasting impact on the military aerospace community at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This award celebrates those who embody the values of heritage, innovation, and dedication to mission excellence.
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award recognizes an Air Force Civilian whose professionalism and commitment have made meaningful contributions to the mission of Wright-Patterson AFB. Recipients also strengthen the prestige and partnership between the installation and the broader Dayton/Miami Valley community.
Enlisted Award
The Enlisted Award honors an enlisted Airman who has demonstrated exceptional service to the Air Force mission at WPAFB and/or Springfield ANGB. Beyond their primary duties, recipients represent the Air Force with distinction through active engagement in community and volunteer activities that extend the Air Force message beyond the base.
AFROTC, AFJROTC and CAP Medals and Awards
AFA WMC is proud to recognize the achievements of tomorrow’s aerospace leaders through our cadet award programs. These honors celebrate excellence, leadership, and academic performance among cadets at the grassroots level.
- AFROTC, AFJROTC, and CAP Awards are distributed annually through AFA National Headquarters.
- Detachments and units automatically receive award packages between late January and early February—no separate request is required.
- While coordination occurs at the national level, local AFA Chapters are encouraged to engage directly with area detachments to present awards in person at local ceremonies.
AFA Outstanding AFROTC Cadet of the Year
This prestigious award recognizes the most outstanding junior-year AFROTC cadet nationwide.
- Each detachment selects a top cadet who is then nominated for the AFA Randolph Lovelace Award, chosen by the AFROTC Region Commander.
- Regional winners advance for consideration as the AFA Outstanding AFROTC Cadet of the Year, selected by the AFROTC Commander.
- The national award is presented annually at the AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
AFA National CAP Education Cadet of the Year
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Education Cadet of the Year Award honors a top-performing CAP cadet for excellence in aerospace education and leadership.
- Each CAP region nominates one cadet by March 15.
- The award recipient is selected by CAP National Headquarters (NHQ/AE) and recognized during the annual AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
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