One of our own

Sullivan’s Basic Nutrition & Sanitation Instructor Kathy Ballard, returns to Wright Patterson Air Force Base every year to present an award named in her honor. The Air Force Sergeants Association Kittyhawk Chapter 751 established the Chief Master Sergeant Kathy Ballard First-Term Airman of the Year award in recognition of Kathy’s leadership and mentoring of young airmen throughout her 24 year Air Force career.

Illustrious career prior to Sullivan Kathy Ballard made Air Force history several times throughout her career. She was the fi rst person to hold a Vice President position at the Community College of the Air Force; fi rst woman to be selected as a Major Command Senior Enlisted Advisor to a four star general; the fi rst woman to become the First Sergeant for the United States Air Force Honor Guard located in Washington DC. While attending the Senior NCO Academy, she also became the fi rst woman to graduate as the Honor Graduate (#1 graduate) and was the Commandant Award winner. Kathy’s accomplishments were so signifi cant that her picture appears in a poster which illustrates all the “fi rsts” for women in the Air Force and is displayed at the Pentagon.


From left to right: Col. Colleen Ryan, 88 ABW; A1C Angela Garcia, 88DTS; CMSgt (Ret) Sullivan Instructor Kathy Ballard and CMSgt (Ret) Ruben Garcia.