MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Members from Air University’s Officer Training School’s “Godzilla” class 19-07 received various awards from the Air Force Global Strike Command commander, Gen. Tim Ray, during a ceremony Sept. 26, 2019, here.
Among the awards presented were the top graduates from both Detachment 12 and the 24th Training Squadron to 2nd Lts. Dylan Russel and Timothy DeJong, respectively. The recipients earned these distinctions through their actions and dedication throughout the eight weeks of training.
“Well done and congratulations,” Ray said. “You’re here today as a testament to your hard work and dedication and, certainly, your outstanding performance. Let me emphasize one fact to you: you are American Airmen. I’ve worked with air forces on every continent and I’ve seen the difference between who we are and who they are and trust me when I say that you are in a league all of your own.”
Volunteers attending OTS spend their days in physical training, classroom instruction, leadership mentoring and more on their way to gaining their commission as officers within the Air Force. Class 19-07, dubbed internally as “Godzilla,” started with more than 800 officer trainees, effectively double the average class size, graduating a total of more than 750.
“The United States Air and Space Force will be at the forefront of every single conflict that happens for our age,” said Ray. “Every single event, be it humanitarian or a more damaging crisis. So, the truth is, it’s a great time to be in the Air Force.”