Nevada Air National Guard Awards - Photo

On Sunday, the Nevada Air National Guard (NVANG) gave out awards for exemplary service during the last year. 

Their service in both the Silver State and across the nation was considered for the awards.

"It's not just for maybe an overseas deployment or they spent time away from family to support the federal government. it's also responding to state emergencies here in Nevada," said Captain Emerson Marcus, Public Affairs Officer, Nevada Air National Guard.

Captain Marcus said a committee spends all year deciding who walks across the stage and receives awards in January. They pick from members of what he calls the "best kept secret" in Northern Nevada.

"These are members of the community that we're honoring today," Captain Marcus said. "These are Nevadans who are helping Nevadans."

Among this year's award recipients is Sergeant Diego Urias Paz, who was named the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year.

"I never thought I'd get this far in my career," he said.

Sergeant Urias Paz said the recognition reflects the impact he's had on the service.

"It definitely makes me feel like I'm making a difference, not just in this unit but in the Air Force as a whole," he said.

Master Sergeant Aubrey Chiatovich was named the Senior NCO of the Year.

"I literally feel like I just won the Super Bowl," she said.

Many of her missions went into consideration, but there's one that sticks out the most in her mind.

"I did a trip to Greenland recently to go to drop off supplies," Master Sgt. Chiatovich said. "It was 24 hours of perpetual darkness, and it was one of the coolest experiences in my life. Landing on the ice and walking around the group like that was really cool."

Senior airman Luke Degiovanni is your 2025 NVANG Airman of the Year.

All major award recipients are listed below. These winners will move on to regional competition, and the winners from that will be considered for national recognition.

  • Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Luke DeGiovanni, 152nd Communications Squadron
  • Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Diego Urias Paz, 152nd Intelligence Squadron
  • Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. Aubrie Chiatovich, 152nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
  • First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Meagan Castro, 152nd Mission Support Group
  • Company Grade Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Kayla Warner, 152nd Medical Group