Two New York National Guard airmen who work in space operations were recognized as enlisted service members of the year for 2024 by the Space Force Association during the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, held Dec. 10 to 12.
Staff Sgt. Jason Capostagno, a resident of Rome, NY, was named National Guard Enlisted Airman of the Year in the Space Operations category.
Staff Sgt. Curtis Grady, a resident of Arlington, Virginia, was named National Guard enlisted Airman of the Year in the Intelligence Operations category.
Both men are assigned to the New York Air Guard’s 222nd Command and Control Squadron. The squadron supports the National Reconnaissance Office, the agency responsible for U.S. spy satellites.
The squadron, part of the Niagara Falls-based 107th Attack Wing, is headquarter in Rome, but also has airmen working full-time at National Reconnaissance Office headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia.
The 222nd conducts space mission functions.
Chief Master Sgt Scott Rachon, the squadron’s senior enlisted leader, said, “This is an incredible opportunity for them to be recognized for their critical contributions, leadership, and outstanding dedication to the space mission.”
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.
Capostagno, a recent graduate of the University of Buffalo, said he was “immensely grateful for the recognition and appreciation of my endeavors and contributions to the space mission and the Air National Guard.”
In 2024 Capostagno served as the space battle management subject matter expert for National Guard Bureau space operations integrating U.S. and NATO space domain initiatives with the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
He also instructed Romanian and Indonesian military personnel in mission planning and orbital analysis skills, according to Rachon.
In November 2024, Capostagno was selected as the only enlisted U.S. space representative for the multi-national Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise (CRUZEX) in Brazil. He again shared his expertise in orbital analysis, space domain awareness, and space battle management expertise with participants, Rachon said.
In 2024, Grady was selected to support a federal intelligence analyst position at the National Reconnaissance Office. He was the sole intelligence expert supporting a 20-person team.
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 counter-space 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.
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