Supervisors of the future: ALS Class 26-E Graduation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brian Lummus
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

The 17th Training Wing celebrated the graduation of Airman Leadership School Class 26-E, August 6.

ALS is a five-week entry level leadership enhancement course designed to prepare Airmen for positions of greater responsibility by strengthening their ability to lead, follow and manage while also gaining a broader understanding of the military profession and their role within the Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Norton, 17th Training Wing commander, shakes hands with Senior Airman Brayden Garner, 47th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist, after an ALS graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. ALS graduation ceremonies are held to give leadership, family, friends and coworkers the opportunity to celebrate with and congratulate the graduates on one of the most important milestones in their Air Force career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Supervisors of the future: ALS Class 26-E Graduation

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Norton, 17th Training Wing commander, shakes hands with Senior Airman Brayden Garner, 47th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist, after an ALS graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. ALS graduation ceremonies are held to give leadership, family, friends and coworkers the opportunity to celebrate with and congratulate the graduates on one of the most important milestones in their Air Force career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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“Leadership isn’t developed in isolation,”expressed U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Parker, 17th Communications Squadron operations superintendent. “It requires people who choose to deliberately invest into others, and tonight is proof that your investment mattered.”

ALS provides enlisted Airmen with a deeper understanding of their role as military supervisors and the impact they have on accomplishing the Air Force mission. 

Through classroom instruction, teamwork and exercises, graduates are equipped to meet the challenges of increased responsibility while operating in complex, ambiguous environments and leading the next generation of Airmen.

“As new supervisors, your Airmen will look to you not just for talk and direction, but for an example of character,” stated Master Sgt. Christopher Walker, 17th Force Support Squadron ALS commandant. “Self-awareness ensures that you lead with authenticity and humility rather than ego and enables you to recognize when to ask for help, how to adapt your communication style to different Airmen and how to build that team that complements your own abilities.”

 

Congratulations to the graduates of ALS Class 26-E:

Staff Sgt. Miguel Benitez, 47th Security Forces Squadron

Senior Airman Gabriel Birden-Lewis, 17th Security Forces Squadron

Staff Sgt. Nat Chen, 47th Contracting Squadron

Senior Airman Austin Conner, 47th Civil Engineering Squadron

Staff Sgt. Jesus Cruz, 47th Security Forces Squadron

Senior Airman Angelica Del Mazo, Goodfellow Operational Medical Readiness Squadron

Senior Airman Christian Del Mazo, 17th Security Forces Squadron

Mr. Estevan Flores, 47th Flying Training Wing Maintenance Directorate

Staff Sgt. Anjalo Garcia, 312th Training Squadron

Senior Airman Brayden Garner, 47th Contracting Squadron

Senior Airman Seth Krigbaum, 17th Training Support Squadron

Staff Sgt. Savannah Osborn, 316th Training Squadron

Senior Airman Matthew Wornell, 131st Force Support Squadron

 

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Parker, 17th Communications Squadron operations superintendent, presents Senior Airman Christian Del Mazo, 17th Security Forces Squadron defender, with the John Levitow Award, during the Airmen Leadership School Class 26-E graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. The John Levitow Award is the highest honor awarded at professional military education courses, and it is presented to the student who achieves the highest overall combination of academic scores, performance evaluations and leadership qualities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Supervisors of the future: ALS Class 26-E Graduation

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Parker, 17th Communications Squadron operations superintendent, presents Senior Airman Christian Del Mazo, 17th Security Forces Squadron defender, with the John Levitow Award, during the Airmen Leadership School Class 26-E graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. The John Levitow Award is the highest honor awarded at professional military education courses, and it is presented to the student who achieves the highest overall combination of academic scores, performance evaluations and leadership qualities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th Training Wing command chief, and Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Parker, 17th Communications Squadron operations superintendent, present Airmen Leadership School Class 26-E with the “L” during an ALS graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. Every ALS class plays a volleyball game with senior leadership and the winning team presents the “L” to the losing team at graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Supervisors of the future: ALS Class 26-E Graduation

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th Training Wing command chief, and Senior Master Sgt. Darryl Parker, 17th Communications Squadron operations superintendent, present Airmen Leadership School Class 26-E with the “L” during an ALS graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. Every ALS class plays a volleyball game with senior leadership and the winning team presents the “L” to the losing team at graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Savannah Osborn, 316th Training Squadron instructor, plays the national anthem during an Airmen Leadership School graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. ALS is a five-week entry level leadership enhancement course designed to prepare Airmen for positions of greater responsibility by strengthening their ability to lead, follow and manage while also gaining a broader understanding of the military profession and their role within the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Supervisors of the future: ALS Class 26-E Graduation

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Savannah Osborn, 316th Training Squadron instructor, plays the national anthem during an Airmen Leadership School graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. ALS is a five-week entry level leadership enhancement course designed to prepare Airmen for positions of greater responsibility by strengthening their ability to lead, follow and manage while also gaining a broader understanding of the military profession and their role within the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res