LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. – Three of 12 awards given by the Air National Guard for 2025’s outstanding performers in the safety field have been bestowed on the Arkansas National Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing Safety Team, showcasing their expertise and upholding a standard of excellence.
Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award (2025)
Recipient: 189th Airlift Wing Safety Office
This award recognizes the most effective installation-level safety program.
The 189th Airlift Wing safety team penned an eight-step risk assessment safety plan for operating the EC-130J aircraft, which mitigated a six-month additional training requirement, alleviated a nine-month training backlog for aircrew students, repurposed two $110 million aircraft and laid the groundwork for the 189th Airlift Wing to transition to becoming the premier C-130J Air National Guard schoolhouse.
They also engaged with the Arkansas flying community to address mid-air collision avoidance, partnering with the 19th Airlift Wing and the 77th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. This effort included hands-on training for firefighters, improving airspace sharing between Air Force and Army joint partners.
Director of Safety Occupational Safety Career Professional of the Year (2025)
Recipient: Air Force Master Sgt. Heather Metzler
This award recognizes an Air National Guard member in the 1S0X1 career field for outstanding contributions to Air Force safety.
Metzler was chosen to bridge a gap in occupational safety management, training eight new unit representatives in preparation for inspections from the National Guard Bureau and Air Education Training Command. She secured an effective rating for 118 inspection items and was recognized as a top performer by the National Guard Bureau Inspector General team.
She also led operational risk management for deployment validation, delivering tailored mission briefings for five chalks and 10 sorties while overseeing Multi-Capable Airmen training and advocating proper work/rest cycles for 288 personnel. Metzler also pioneered the “General Aviation Safety Cluster,” bringing together uniformed, civilian and private pilots in central Arkansas to establish a safety culture and strengthen Federal Aviation Administration partnerships.
Director of Safety Occupational Safety Civilian of the Year
Recipient: Jessica Deal
This award recognizes an Air National Guard member in the 0018 occupational series for outstanding contributions to Air National Guard and Air Force safety.
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Deal, a Title-32 technician, transitioned from active duty as the occupational safety superintendent for the 19th Airlift Wing to the 189th Airlift Wing’s occupational safety manager amid inspections for both units, securing effective ratings for 118 inspection items.
Deal was selected as a leading industry expert out of 108 eligible career field peers for a specialty knowledge rewrite. She authored two promotional examinations that impacted 354 Airmen and 21.1% of the Weighted Airman Promotion System formula.
Deal’s expertise also earned her the selection as a safety liaison for Little Rock Air Force Base Airmen and Camp Robinson Soldiers for an Arkansas Safety Commission and Department of Transportation motorcycle focus group, proposing new state law and recommending improvement actions.
“Our safety team truly embodies our motto of Ducimus (Latin for “We Lead”),” says Air Force Col. Joseph Geaney, 189th Airlift Wing commander. “Their expertise and dedication are a standard of excellence, and have been integral to our Airmen’s safety and aircraft conversion to the C-130J Super Hercules.”
The three winners will compete at the Department of the Air Force level against other Major Command nominees.
The safety specialty manages and conducts safety programs, analyzes causes and trends of mishaps and assesses risk. Additionally, those in the specialty evaluate, inspect and survey areas and activities to eliminate potential mishaps, conduct investigations into mishaps, provide risk management consultation and conduct safety education.
The 189th Airlift Wing is a tenant of Little Rock Air Force Base and provides premier training for the C-130 and cyber enterprises, capitalizing on partnerships to support Arkansas, defend the nation and contribute to rapid global mobility.