Red Horse Squadron holds awards, promotion ceremony Published Jan. 3, 2019 By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Col. Rusty Vaira, 219th RED HORSE Squadron commander, left, presents Staff Sgt. Damian Guzman with an Air Force Achievement Medal during a ceremony Dec. 2, 2018. The squadron combined an award as well as a noncommissioned and senior noncommissioned officer induction ceremony to recognize the superior performers and those promoted in their unit. Chief Master Sgt. Brian Furr, Chief of Operations, 219th RHS, talked about the importance of these ceremonies. “Every year we take a moment to recognize all the folks that have been promoted to that next step. NCOs are the backbone of our structure. [We want] them to understand the importance of what they do, the pivotal part in the piece of the puzzle they play. For the senior NCO induction, letting them know the importance of stepping back in their roles as the go-to subject matter expert, but more importantly letting them know they are the leaders and mentors for those that are going to be taking their place in the future. Recognition for people and what they accomplish within this organization is very important, we do a lot of good things.” The 219th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers are stationed at Malmstrom AFB and are members of the Montana Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby)