NY Air National Guard Airman who lives in Arlington honored by Space Force Association

Staff Sgt. Curtis Grady, a resident of Arlington, Virginia was named National Guard enlisted Airman of the Year in the Intelligence Operations category.

Arlington, VA (01/06/2025) — A New York Air National Guard member who lives in Arlington, Virginia was recognized for outstanding service by the Space Force Association during the organization's annual conference in Orlando, Florida in December.

Staff Sgt. Curtis Grady was named National Guard enlisted Airman of the Year in the Intelligence Operations category.

He is assigned to the New York Air Guard's 222nd Command and Control Squadron. The squadron supports the National Reconnaissance Office, the agency responsible for United States spy satellites.

Grady serves full-time at the office's headquarters in Chantilly.Another member of the 222nd, Staff Sgt. Jason Capostagno, a resident of Rome, New York, was named National Guard Enlisted Airman of the Year in the Space Operations category.

The leadership of the 222nd is extremely proud of both Airmen, said Chief Master Sgt Scott Rachon, the squadron's senior enlisted leader.

"This is an incredible opportunity for them to be recognized for their critical contributions, leadership, and outstanding dedication to the space mission," Rachon said.

The Space Force Association is a not-for-profit that supports the U.S. Space Force and its personnel by advocating for the new service's overall mission, promoting public awareness of space operations, and providing resources and networking opportunities for current Space Force members, according to the association website.

This was the first year the group presented the award to military members.

According to the association, recipients were selected based on upon operational, national security, acquisition, or warfighting achievements.The awards recognize officers, enlisted members, and civilian personnel from the Space Force, as well as from the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard, in three categories: Space Operations, Cyber Operations, and Intel Operations.

Grady, who is pursuing a master's degree at Georgetown University, enlisted in the Air National Guard in September of 2017.In 2024 Grady was selected to support a federal intelligence analyst position at the National Reconnaissance Office.

He was the sole intelligence expert support a 20-person team.

This was the first time an Air Guardsman was selected for the job, Rachon said.

Rachon added that Grady is credited with providing critical intelligence support to multiple tactical mission plans. He also conducted vital briefings which had a direct impact on mission planning for adversarial counterspace threats, Rachson added.

Grady said he appreciated the recognition."The fact that our full-time staff took the initiative and time to nominate me for consideration means a lot," Grady said. "It's an honor to be selected for the award, and I'm grateful to the association for the recognition."

But Grady said he couldn't have accomplished his mission alone.

"Intelligence and space operations are both team sports, so any success that I've found working in this mission area could not have happened without contributions and guidance from leadership, teammates, and mission partners," he said.

Media Attachments