Awards

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and First Lady Susanne Shore recognized several dozen heroes who helped save lives during the 2019 flooding during a ceremony, Dec. 17, 2019, at the State Capitol Rotunda in Lincoln. They were joined by Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraska adjutant general, and Bryan Tuma, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency assistant director.

Nebraska National Guard honorees included Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeff Caniglia, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Dooley, Staff Sgt. Lawrence Lind, 2nd Lt. Joshua Pryor, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joshua Schaaf, Lt. Col. Shane Varejcka, and Spc. Aaron Winberg.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and First Lady Susanne Shore recognized several dozen heroes who helped save lives during the 2019 flooding during a ceremony, Dec. 17, 2019, at the State Capitol Rotunda in Lincoln. Seven Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers were among those nominated by fellow Nebraskans and recognized their “extraordinary compassion and bravery in service of their communities.” (Nebraska National Guard photos by Spc. Lisa Crawford)

DUSTOFF Rescue of the Year

Four Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk crew members with Company G, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion were honored at a ceremony in Lincoln, July 2, 2020, with the DUSTOFF 2019 Rescue of the Year award for their heroic rescues during Nebraska’s historic floods in 2019.

The DUSTOFF Rescue of the Year award was instituted in 1995 as a part of efforts to recognize the current generation of DUSTOFF Warriors. The first two awards presented were the DUSTOFF Crewmember of the Year and the Rescue of the Year. While the majority of awards for the rescue of the year have been made to missions flown in combat there are instances of peace-time missions receiving the award.

This year’s award-winning crew included:
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Josh Schaaf, Pilot in Command
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Dooley, Pilot
• Staff Sgt. Lawrence Lind, Medic
• Sgt. Aaron Winberg, Crew Chief

Four Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk crew members with Company G, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion were honored at a ceremony in Lincoln, July 2, 2020, with the DUSTOFF 2019 Rescue of the Year award for their heroic rescues during Nebraska’s historic floods in 2019. (Nebraska National Guard photo by Sgt. Lisa Crawford)
(From Left) Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Dooley, pilot; Sgt. Aaron Winberg, crew chief; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Josh Schaaf, pilot-in-command; and Staff Sgt. Lawrence Lind, combat medic; pose for a photo with the DUSTOFF Rescue of the Year 2019 award in front of the Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter they flew on the evening of March 14, 2019, when they rescued seven first responders from floodwaters near the Elkhorn River. (Nebraska National Guard photo by Sgt. Lisa Crawford)

The crew also received the state’s first four Nebraska National Guard Commendation Medals with “V” device for Valor, after Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed an executive order on June 29, 2020, establishing the new award for distinguishing specific acts of bravery.

On the evening of March 14, 2019, these Soldiers successfully conducted multiple search and rescue missions, including that of seven first responders near Arlington, Nebraska. The crew pulled the seven firefighters from the floodwaters near the Elkhorn River after two of their boats capsized during a rescue attempt. The firefighters were then transported to the hospital where they were treated for hypothermia and released.

The DUSTOFF Executive Council votes on award submissions. Each member of the council is a veteran of DUSTOFF. Most have served in combat flying in Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and all over the world.

“This year, the complexity, risk and the absolute professionalism of this crew set them above the rest,” said Col. (Ret.) Daniel Gower, executive director of the DUSTOFF Association.

He said the crew was doing what DUSTOFF crews have done since the Korean War: not leaving to go home until, “We have your wounded.”

The Rescue of the Year award was set to be presented at the 41st DUSTOFF Reunion at the Annual Awards Banquet on April 4, 2020, in Columbus, Georgia, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk crew members with Company G, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion were honored at a ceremony in Lincoln, July 2, 2020, with the state’s first four Nebraska National Guard Commendation Medals with “V” device for Valor, after Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed an executive order on June 29, 2020, establishing the new award for distinguishing specific acts of bravery. Photographed here is Chief Warrant Officer Schaaf’s Commendation Medal with “V” device and other uniform ribbons. (Nebraska National Guard photo by Sgt. Lisa Crawford)

The Nebraska National Guard Commendation Medal with “V” device may be awarded to any member of the Nebraska National Guard whose service is distinguished by specific acts of bravery, or a closely related series of heroic acts involving personal hazard or danger. The voluntary risk of life must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual’s service apart from the duties of routine service.

Minnesota National Guard

Ten Soldiers with the Minnesota’s Company B, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, were honored at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Grand Island, by Maj. Gen. Daryl Boahc, Nebraska adjutant general, March 27, 2019, for providing support to the Nebraska National Guard following historic flooding across the state.

As part of an emergency management assistance compact, the Minnesota crew provided a CH-47 Chinook and maintenance support for the Nebraska National Guard’s Chinook helicopters. The Minnesota crew also provided aerial support with members of the Nebraska National Guard for the second Operation Prairie Hay Drop, March 23, 2019, dropping 12 round hay bales from their Chinook to aid cattle isolated by flood waters near Columbus, Nebraska.

The Minnesota Soldiers each received the Nebraska National Guard Emergency Service and the Nebraska National Guard Commendation medals.

Maj. Gen. Daryl Boahc, Nebraska adjutant general, honors 10 Soldiers with the Minnesota’s Company B, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Grand Island, March 27, 2019, for providing support to the Nebraska National Guard following historic flooding across the state. (Nebraska National Guard photos by Spc. Lisa Crawford)