Wing commander, spouse honored at Pentagon


Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presents Brig. Gen. Mark and Sara Dillon with the traditional Gen. and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley Award legacy picture during a Pentagon ceremony Oct. 11, 2011, in Washington, D.C. The Dillons were honored with the award, presented annually to the wing commander and spouse whose contributions to the nation, Air Force and local community best exemplifies the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in wing command positions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Andy Morataya)

Wing commander, spouse honored at Pentagon

by Staff Sgt. Richard A. Williams Jr.
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

10/12/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon and his wife Sara the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley award during a ceremony here Oct. 11.

The Dillons were honored for their service at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where the general serves as the 86th Airlift Wing commander from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2010.

"Today we celebrate the exemplary service of both Mark and Sara while at the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein and, very importantly, their outreach to the local community," Schwartz said.

The O'Malley award, now in its 26th year, is presented annually to recognize a wing commander and spouse whose contributions to the nation, Air Force and local community best exemplifies the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in wing command positions.

In supporting the Kaiserslautern community, assisting with service members' transitions to the U.S. Central Command theater and strengthening youth and family programs at Ramstein AB, the Dillons exemplify the teamwork and commitment of all Airmen, Schwartz said.

"Not only did the Dillons lead Airmen and their families; they also improved the wing and bolstered the important place the organization holds in the central European community," Schwartz said. "I think it is appropriate that we honor Mark and Sara Dillon with this award for exemplary service by a commander and his or her spouse."

During the last year, the Dillons led a wing of more than 8,000 Airmen and supported a joint and interagency team of nearly 50,000 Americans -- the largest concentration of Americans living outside the U.S.

"I think of three words when I stand up here today: honor, privilege and humility," General Dillon said. "This is really a team honor for the men and women of the 86th Airlift Wing, and it was an honor to be able to serve with that team.

"Lastly and most importantly, we are humbled to hear our names, Mark and Sara Dillon, mentioned in the same sentence as General and Mrs. O'Malley," he said.