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)

Air Force recognizes 2012 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

The Air Force Band's Master Sgt. Shanie Pruitt performs during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner as part of the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

Air Force recognizes 2012 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy speaks during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner as part of the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

Air Force leaders welcome attendees to annual conference

(U.S. Air Force graphic/Sylvia Saab)

AFA conference kicks off

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and retiring Gen. Craig McKinley, the incoming president of the Air Force Association, witness the opening ceremonies during the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)

Air Force leaders attend AFA remembrance ceremony

From the left: Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Association Chairman of the Board S.Sanford Schlitt and the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Chief, National Guard Bureau Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall render honors during a wreath laying ceremony commemorating this year’s fallen AFA members at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., Sept. 16, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

Air Force leaders attend AFA remembrance ceremony

Air Force senior leaders and members of the Air Force Association gathered at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., Sept. 16, 2012, for the Air Force Association's annual wreath laying ceremony commemorating AFA members who died in the last year. On hand to lay the wreath were: Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force Association's Chairman of the Board S.Sanford Schlitt and the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Chief, National Guard Bureau Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

ANG Rescue

Members of the 129th Rescue Wing California Air National Guard assist in the rescue operations of two injured fisherman who were approximately 1400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico on Sept. 5, 2012. (Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class John D. Pharr III)

ANG Rescue

Members of the 129th Rescue Wing California Air National Guard assist in the rescue operations of two injured fisherman who were approximately 1400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico on Sept. 5, 2012. (Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class John D. Pharr III)