Members of the 19th Airlift Wing were recognized across multiple categories of the Air Force Functional A1 Awards, highlighting excellence in the 19th Force Support Squadron Manpower and Military and Family Readiness flights, and individual athletic achievement at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Feb. 27, 2026. 

The A1 Functional Awards recognize outstanding performance within the Department of the Air Force manpower, personnel, and services enterprise. These awards honor units and individuals who demonstrate innovation, mission impact, and exceptional support to Airmen and their families, with winners advancing through command-level competition toward Air Force–wide recognition. 

Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Sims, 19th FSS Manpower flight chief, said the Manpower and Organization Force Support Capability Award reflects how the installation’s Manpower Flight aligned resources to mission demands.  

“Winning this award at the MAJCOM level was largely due to reorganizing the 19th Airlift Wing to meet the pacing threat,” Sims said. “We…secured 194 new positions through a congressionally approved basing action and provided the Chief of Staff of the Air Force risk-informed, data-driven decision points which ultimately led to Secretary of the Air Force approval for Herk Nation to project lethality as the Air Force’s first unit of action.” 

The 19th FSS Military and Family Readiness Center also earned top honors at the Air Mobility Command level for the second consecutive year. Mr. Wayne Ojala, 19th FSS M&FRC flight chief, emphasized the scope of the recognition.  

“The ‘Functional A1 Awards’ are given within the Air Force’s functional community…One of the team/functional categories is the ‘Military & Family Readiness Center,’ and Little Rock AFB has won back-to-back years, 2024 & 2025,” Ojala said.  

He added that key accomplishments included “successfully completing our first-ever Department of War ‘M&FRC Certification,’ embedding into the highest at-risk units across the installation, and implementing a locally developed ‘Knowledge Check’ form to assess customer satisfaction and instructor effectiveness.” 

Individual excellence was also recognized as Senior Airman Shaquera Wade, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron passenger travel supervisor, was named the Department of the Air Force Female Military Athlete of the Year.  

“I am truly humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude to receive the DAF Military Athlete of the Year award,” Wade said. “This award motivates me even more to keep pushing my limits and serve with integrity.”  

She credited her success to faith, mentorship, and opportunity, noting milestones such as competing as a USA All-Armed Forces Champion and mentoring youth and college students. “These experiences…played a significant role in my journey,” Wade said. “I am truly thankful for the opportunities and relationships that helped me achieve this recognition.” 

Together, the awards underscore the wing’s commitment to mission-ready Airmen, resilient families, and data-driven support that enables global mobility