2023 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year Award Ceremony

Colorado Springs, Colorado | October 13, 2023

The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance held its tenth NORAD and USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year Award Ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Friday, October 13, 2023. The event honored Missile Defenders from U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and service members from the United States and Canada involved in Missile Warning for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). These service members and civilians demonstrated outstanding leadership excellence in missile defense and missile warning for the year 2022 and directly contributed to the security of the United States and Canada.

2023 NORAD and USNORTHCOM Missile Warners and Defenders of the Year

Captain Melissa Biel
Intel Professional of the Year
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Mr. Justin Loiseau
Intel Professional of the Year
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Mr. Brandon Wood
NORAD and USNORTHCOM Staff Professional of the Year
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Sergeant Robert Hanlon
JOC Missile and Space Domain Crew Member of the Year
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Lieutenant Colonel Colin Fleming
Missile Defense Officer of the Year
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Mr. Brien Smith
Deputy Missile Defense Officer of the Year
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Staff Sergeant Fabian Juarez
USASMDC Staff Professional of the Year
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Major Kent Brandsted
100th Missile Defense Brigade Crew of the Year
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Captain Christopher Lucca
100th Missile Defense Brigade Crew of the Year
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First Lieutenant Dardrin Qin
100th Missile Defense Brigade Crew of the Year
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Staff Sergeant Francisco Marrero
100th Missile Defense Brigade Crew of the Year
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Sergeant Nicholas Fitzsenry
100th Missile Defense Brigade Crew of the Year
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Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Knight
Lifetime Achievement Awardee
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Mr. Steve Allen
Lifetime Achievement Awardee
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Defenders of the Year