12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Airman Nicholas Hurt during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Hurt is with the 721st Security Forces Squadron from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Master Sgt. Emilio Hernandez during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Hernandez is with the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Airman Bryenna Brooks during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Brooks is with the 2nd Medical Operations Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Staff Sgt. Cory Branham during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Branham is with the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

CSAF talks Air Force innovation, evolution at AFA Conference

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III introduces Senior Airman Shemiel Christopher for his work at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Fisher House during his keynote presentation on the state of the Air Force at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)

CSAF talks Air Force innovation, evolution at AFA Conference

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III recognizes Master Sgt. Toni Worthey for her leadership and efforts as a noncommissioned officer in charge at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base, Del., during his keynote presentation on the state of the Air Force at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)