There was a distinctive Georgia flair at the 128th NGAUS Annual Conference in Albuquerque in September when a number of Georgians, Georgia Guardsmen, and Georgia National Guard units received Conference recognition before the more than 4,200 attendees.

Maj Gen David Poythress was elected to the NGAUS Board of Directors as Vice Chair – Air. In this powerful leadership position, the Georgia TAG will have a prominent voice in issues impacting the both members of the Air National Guard and the entire National Guard.

Nine Georgians, including Governor Sonny Perdue, received various NGAUS leadership awards. The Governor received the coveted Charles Dick Medalof Merit for his contributions to the National Guard as an elected official.

Two Georgia Air National Guard units, the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) and the 116th Air Control Wing were recognized by NGAUS for outstanding mission performance. Both the CRTC in Savannah and the 116th Communications Squadron at Robins AFB was awarded the prestigious Air National Guard Mission Support Award, the non-aviation equivalent to the Distinguished Flying plaque.

Two officers of the 48th BCT received a standing ovation by Conference participants for their presentation on Georgia’s 48th Brigade’s historic deployment to Iraq.

Col. Steve Joyce, GA DOD Director of Human Resources and Lt. Col. Murray Hansen, Executive Support Officer at HQ GA ANG were elected as Army and Air Representatives for Area III, and Capt Terri Prosperie of the 116th ACW was elected as the Air Company Grade reprehensive for Area III.