114th Airmen shine at Airman Leadership School

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Duane Duimstra
  • 114th Fighter Wing
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --  Airmen from the 114th Fighter Wing are preparing to become future Air National Guard leaders by excelling at Airman Leadership School. ALS teaches Airmen the necessary tools to become successful leaders as they progress to becoming non-commissioned officers.

For the 2016 fiscal year, the South Dakota Air National Guard sent 13 Airmen to the in-residence course and 10 to the satellite course. The in-residence course was a five-week course at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The satellite course consists of six weekends at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, S.D., and two weeks in-residence at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.

"We had 27 apply for the satellite course," said Chief Master Sgt. Dean Hillberg, 114th Fighter Wing command chief. "We had to narrow it down to 10 because that is all we could have enrolled for the course."

During the satellite course, Staff Sgt. Jorrie Hart, 114th Security Forces Squadron installation controller, received the Commandant Leadership Award. This award is given to one Airman per class who is selected by their peers for demonstrating outstanding leadership skills.

Along with Hart, Staff Sgt. Ethan Dellman, 114th Maintenance Squadron ammunitions, and Staff Sgt. Zach Hollstrom, 114th Operation Support Squadron aviation resource management, received the Distinguished Graduate Award. This award is given to Airmen who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class.

"Our Airmen did an awesome job at ALS," said Hillberg. "They surpassed my expectations."

ALS is required for all Airmen to complete in order to become eligible for promotion to Staff Sergeant. It is a rite of passage to further progress in the Air Force.